The Firebird Suite

Composed by Igor Stravinsky

The Firebird Suite
Composed by Igor Stravinsky

On the following page:

Print copies and use as a “hook” activity for students when introducing the Symphonicity performance and
activities to students. Provide colored pencils, crayons, markers, metallic markers, markers with glitter. Display
student work.
The Firebird, which appears in numerous Russian folk tales, is a large bird with rich plumage that glows with
a red, orange, and yellow light. Even when removed, its feathers continue to glimmer. Typically, in fairy tales, the
Firebird is the object of a difficult quest which begins with the finding of a lost tail feather. The hero of the tale
then sets out to find and capture the bird – usually on the orders of an authority figure such as a father or king.
The Firebird Suite
Composed by Igor Stravinsky

What is a “Firebird?”
The Firebird, which appears in numerous Russian folk tales, is a large bird
with rich plumage that glows with a red, orange, and yellow light. Even when
removed, its feathers continue to glimmer. Typically, in fairy tales, the Firebird
is the object of a difficult quest which begins with the finding of a lost tail
feather. The hero of the tale then sets out to find and capture the bird – usually
on the orders of an authority figure such as a father or king.

https://eldvarm.com/stories-by-the-fire/the-firebird/
Illustration: https://storytellingforeveryone.net/the-firebird-a-slavic-tale/

The Firebird: The Story

The teacher should read the story aloud before watching the 3rd piece on the concert, The Firebird by Igor
Stravinsky.

In the dark garden of the Immortal sorcerer Kostchei [pronounced Kah-shay], a tree glows, covered
with golden apples. The Firebird appears, attracted by the tree. Ivan, on a quest to capture the
Firebird, pursues her. He captures her and refuses to release her. She offers one of her magic feathers as
ransom and promises to return to aid him if he waves her magic feather when he is in danger. He frees
the Firebird and she flies away. Four princesses, led by the beautiful Tsarevna [pronounced tsa-rev-
na], appear and enter the garden. Ivan hides and watches as the princesses gather golden apples. Ivan,
attracted to Tsarevna, emerges from his hiding place. Tsarevna warns him to leave because he is
trespassing in the garden of the sorcerer Kostchei. Ivan expresses his love for Tsarevna and refuses to
leave the garden. Ivan opens the gates and a monster rushes from the castle followed by Kostchei.
Kostchei captures Ivan and tries to turn him into stone, but Ivan waves the magic feather. The Firebird
appears and forces Kostchei and the Monster to dance until exhaustion, and then puts them to sleep.
The Firebird lets Ivan know he needs to steal the egg which contains the sorcerer Kostchei’s soul. Ivan
throws it to the ground, breaking the spell over the princesses. The princesses celebrate their freedom
from Kostchei’s enchantment, and Tsarevana and Ivan are married, blessed by the Firebird.

firebird-study-guide2, New York Theatre Ballet

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://nytb.org/images/firebird-study-guide2.pdf

Activity #1: The Order of Events

After hearing the story and seeing the performance, can you put the pictures in the correct order?

Students can work in pairs, or the class can work together as a large group.
• Print pictures, cut apart and provide sets to students in pairs.
• For a large group of students, present the slides and ask the students to determine the order of the
slides.
The firebird with the golden apple tree
The monster and Kostchei rush in from the castle

The princesses dance near the golden apple tree

The Firebird forces Kostchei and the

Monster to dance until exhaustion
 Tsarevana and Ivan are married, blessed by the Firebird

The Firebird puts them to sleep

Ivan throws the egg to the

ground, breaking the spell
over the princesses
Activity #2: Be a Bird!

There are other famous ballets that feature a bird. Here are two ballets that feature a bird:
• The Swan Queen in Swan Lake
• The Bluebird in Sleeping Beauty

Music:
Use instruments in your classroom to create a song about a bird. Is it a song about an eagle? A dove? A goose?

Dance:
Can you make up a dance about birds? What steps will you use? How will you move your arms so they look
like wings? Are you a big or small bird? Are you a crow, a sparrow, an ostrich, a pigeon, a duck?

Costume:
Start with this drawing of a ballerina. Use colored pencils, fabric and glue, or even feathers to create a bird
costume.

Extension Activity:
Learn about other ballets that feature a bird - https://australianballet.com.au/blog/birds-of-ballet
Activity #3: A Story by a Ballerina

Misty Copeland, a ballerina with The American Ballet Theater,

as The Firebird:

Watch this interview with Misty Copeland:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD1SWt8-GhA

In her first picture book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl -
an every girl - whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her
own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty
encourages this young girl’s faith in herself and shows her exactly how,
through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird.

Listen and watch as Misty Copeland reads her book aloud:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzUZEaceZKc

$15.99 at BarnesandNoble.com

Other books by Misty Copeland

Young Readers’ Edition

This is her newest book (2022):

Misty Copeland narrated

a documentary about her
career challenges,
A Ballerina's Tale.
Activity #4: About the Composer

What is a “biography?” A biography is the story of a real person’s life.

Below is an excerpt from a biography about the composer, Igor Stravinsky. Students should read the biography individually or take
turns reading it aloud. After reading the biography, students should say or write 4 things that were interesting or important to
know about the composer Stravinsky.

Robert Greenberg: Music History Monday: The Firebird

https://medium.com/@rgreenbergmusic/music-history-monday-the-firebird-907c62b5cf06
 Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky was born on June 17, 1882, in the town of Oranienbaum
(today known as Lomonosov), on the Gulf of Finland about 35 miles west of
St. Petersburg, Russia. Stravinsky’s family was considered minor nobility:
his mother Anna came from the landowning, governing class of 19th century
Russia, and his father Fyodor was one of the great operatic bass-baritones of
his time, a singer during the golden age of Russian opera. In 1876,
Stravinsky’s father, Fyodor, became a member of the Imperial Theater in St.
Petersburg. It was there that Stravinsky grew up, with his three brothers,
his mother and father, and as many as five or six servants, in an eight-room,
second-story apartment in the center of town.

Stravinsky began taking piano lessons around the age of ten. He also began
attending the opera and concerts. Stravinsky did not practice piano very
much, and by the age of 17, he was merely a pretty good pianist. He
announced to his parents his intention of becoming a professional musician.
His father knew what it took to be a professional musician and did not take
Stravinsky in 1910, age 28, at the
time of the premiere of The Firebird
Stravinsky seriously. Stravinsky’s parents insisted that he go to the
university to study law, qualify for the civil service, and then get a job.

In 1901 Stravinsky was accepted to the University of St. Petersburg as a law student. Among Stravinsky’s
classmates was Volodya Rimsky-Korsakov, the youngest son of the famous composer, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
At Volodya’s urging, Stravinsky decided to show his early compositions to Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Stravinsky
wrote, “In 1902 I told Rimsky-Korsakov of my ambition to become a composer and asked his advice. He asked
me to play some of my first attempts. Alas! The way he received them was far from what I had hoped.” He
followed Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s advice and for three years studied music theory and composition with
Rimsky’s former students. In 1905, having attained a degree of technical competence, Rimsky-Korsakov accepted
Stravinsky as a private student.

Stravinsky managed to graduate from university in 1906. Stravinsky’s father had died in 1902, so there was no
longer any barrier to his musical ambitions. After 1906 he was able to concentrate entirely on his lessons with
Rimsky-Korsakov. He wrote a series of works, including a symphony, that was well-received by the public.

After his teacher Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov died in 1908, Stravinsky wrote a brief orchestral work entitled Scherzo
Fantastique, a piece that had characteristics of French music. On the evening of January 24, 1909, Stravinsky’s
Scherzo Fantastique was performed in St. Petersburg. Serge Diaghilev was in the audience. Diaghilev was intent
on bringing Russian arts to the attention of the world. Diaghilev was intrigued by Stravinsky’s music.

In 1908 Diaghilev created the Ballets Russes (the “Russian Ballet”) as a showcase for Russian dancers and
designers. At Diaghilev’s request, Stravinsky orchestrated a couple of Chopin piano works for the first season of
the Ballets Russes in 1909. Diaghilev decided that he needed to create a new Russian ballet for the second season.

Diaghilev’s new Russian ballet was to be based on the Russian folktale of the Firebird. Diaghilev considered three
different composers before he asked Stravinsky if he was willing to take on this major commission. Stravinsky
composed the 45-minute score in under six months, which was quick, considering how meticulous he was. The
Firebird was a triumph. The public and the press considered this Russian ballet a success. For Stravinsky, this
was the beginning of a long and magnificent compositional career.