Strawinsky in Paris

Gershwin and Stravinsky – the two composers appear to be worlds apart, both geographically and musically. While the Russian avant-garde composer radically expanded the musical tradition with loud sounds and quirky harmonies, the American musical genius perfected “symphonic jazz” with lively rhythms, car horn sounds and saxophone notes. One city connects them both: Gershwin’s stay in Paris in 1926 inspired him to write his famous tone poem, “An American in Paris”. Stravinsky had already celebrated the world premiere of his ballet music Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) here in 1913 – with scandalous results! Gershwin and Stravinsky met in person for the first time in New York in 1925. 100 years later, they meet again in the Gärtnerplatztheater.

In co-production with the Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele