Description

Stravinsky may not have been acquainted with many individuals for whom he composed memorials, but he did share a connection with Onnou, as the Pro Arte Quartet had performed his music. However, it appears that the work was initially sketched prior to receiving the commission from Prévost.

Elegy is a distinctive composition, recommended for performance on either violin or viola, with the option to transpose by a fifth. It is intended to be played with the instrument muted, resulting in a dark and somber auditory experience. The piece is structured in a ternary form, featuring a fugal central section with two interwoven voices, framed by a meditative, chant-like melody that unfolds slowly at both the beginning and end. This melody is punctuated by breath-like pauses of varying lengths. Notably, in 1945, this work was performed multiple times alongside a dance choreographed by George Balanchine, who aimed to embody the music's flow and intricate variety through the movements of two dancers anchored to a central position on stage.