In 1921, Igor Stravinsky composed a set of simple piano pieces for children titled, Les cinq doigts (“The Five Fingers”). Charmingly spare and neoclassical, each of the eight whimsical keyboard exercises are built on five notes, played in the right hand.
Stravinsky returned to this music in 1962 to create the 8 Instrumental Miniatures for 15 Players. It is music which inhabits the innocent, magical land of children at play. The brief movements unfold as follows: Andante, Vivace, Lento, Allegretto, Moderato, Tempo di marcia, Larghetto, Tempo di tango. In its more dreamy, introspective moments, the music flies off to far-flung imaginary worlds. Then, suddenly, it skips and tumbles through exuberant, carefree games. We are kept company by an exotic, zany cast of instrumental “characters.” The Allegretto is based on the Russian folk dance, Kamarinskaya. The final movement delivers an outrageous, humorously cartoonish take on the tango.
This performance features Pierre Boulez and Ensemble Intercontemporain:
Les cinq doigts (“The Five Fingers”)
Here is the music in its original form, performed by pianist Massimiliano Damerini:
Recordings
- Stravinsky: 8 Instrumental Miniatures for 15 Players, Pierre Boulez, Ensemble Intercontemporain Amazon
- Stravinsky: Les cinq doigts, Massimiliano Damerini Amazon
Featured Image: “Portrait of Igor Stravinsky” (1920), Pablo Picasso