First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on November 23, 1961
Tense Time As Composer Hears Works
Igor Stravinsky, one of the world’s greatest living composers, sat like a brooding eagle in the corner of a shabby A.B.C. rehearsal studio at King’s Cross yesterday.
“Like a brooding eagle.”Credit:Sydney Symphony courtesy of the ABC Archives
And his presence gave even the most experienced players in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra the most anxious hours of their careers.
During the third of four rehearsals for tonight’s Town Hall concert — at which Stravinsky himself will conduct — the 79-year-old composer sat for most of the time with his hands passive, folded over a walking stick, while his associate conductor, 38-year-old American Robert Craft, patiently took the orchestra through some of the most important music of this century.
Stravinsky at Melbourne Town Hall rehearsal with VSO on November 29, 1969.Credit:Staff photographer
Every now and then, however, he stood up and conferred with Craft — sometimes speaking in French – or with a player, about a problem of interpretation.
Glass Of beer
When the orchestra relaxed for 10 minutes over cigarettes and cups of tea, Stravinsky had a glass of cold beer brought in at his request from a nearby hotel by an A.B.C official, pushed his dark glasses on to his forehead, and chatted with the players.
From the Archives, 1961: Stravinsky in Sydney
Source: Philippines Alive
