Igor Stravinsky-In Memorium Dylan Thomas: Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night (1954) - Peter Alexander Neumayer tenor - Columbia Chamber Ensemble - Igor Strvisnsky

Igor Stravinsky set one of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas' poems for his memorial piece,which he conducted himself.The Coumbia Chamber Ensemble was called that from 1962-1971,when it was associated with Columbia University in New York.It is now called The Group for Contemporary Music.

Igor Stravinsky: Orpheus ballet (1948) - YouTube - Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra,Igor Stravinsky

The ancient Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice tells the tragic story of the musician Orpheus and his wife Eurydice.After her death,Orpheus travels to the underworld to try to revive her,but fails because he broke the rules by looking back at her.

Stravinsky: The Firebird / Valery Gergiev · Vienna Philarmonic Orchestra · Salzburg Festival 2000 - YouTube

Note:The Vienna Philharmonic didn't admit women until 1997,so at this point there were only one or two.Today there are more.This blog doesn't know the exact number,but estimates 10.

Rozhdestvensky conducts Stravinsky - Histoire du soldat - Suite - A Soldier's Tale - Gennady Rozhdestvensky - Russian Chamber Ensemble

Sergei Prokofiev:Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 16: IV. Finale. Allegro tempestoso - YouTube - Evgeny Kissin/Philharmonia Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazyin

Sergei Prokofiev:Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 16: II. Scherzo. Vivace - Evgeny Kissin/Vladimir Ashkenazy/Philharmonia Orchestra

Sergei Prokofiev - Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 16: I. Andantino - Allegretto - YouTube - Yevgeny Kissin/Philahrmomia Orchestra/Vlaimir Ashkenazy

Rachmaninov Symphony 2 op.27 / Rostov-on-Don symphony orchestra / Valentin Uryupin - YouTube

ARCHIVIO IEM: Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony N° 7 Op 131 (London Symphony Orchestra/Valery Gergiev) - YouTube - EuroMusicTV1

This was written in 1952,shortly before Prokofiev's death.

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Ballet Suite, Op. 64a - VI.Romeo and Juliet - YouTube

Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953) was born in Ukraine but educated at the Moscow Conservatory.He was a pianist and composer during the Soviet Union period.Mstislav Rostropovich (1927-2007) was a leading Russian cellist who became conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington,DC.