Three Japanese Lyrics, K016

THREE JAPANESE LYRICS, K016, composed in 1912, is a compact but striking set of songs for soprano and chamber ensemble that reflects Igor Stravinsky's (1882 - 1971) fascination with non-Western cultures and poetic minimalism. Setting three poems from an anthology of Japanese writing translated into Russian, he built an exotic sound world through spare textures, subtle timbral color, and rhythmic flexibility. Scored for voice, two flutes, two clarinets, and string quartet, the work reveals his transition from Russian nationalism toward a more abstract, modernist idiom, prefiguring elements of his later neoclassical and serial styles. Each lyric is dedicated to a composer: Maurice Delage, Florent Schmitt, and Maurice Ravel. The first performance took place in Paris on January 11, 1914 for a concert presented by the Soci?t? Musicale Ind?pendante. Songs included: 1. Akahito; 2. Mazatsumi; 3. Tsara?uki. Instrumentation: 1+Picc.0.2(2nd d. BCl).0: 0.0.0.0: Pno: Str 4tet: Solo Sop.