Program
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Igor Stravinsky: Soldier's Tale
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1. The Soldier's March
2. Airs by a Stream
4. The Royal March
5. The Little Concert
6. Three Dances: Tango, Valse, Ragtime 
7. The Devil's Dance
8. Great Choral
​9. Triumphal March of the Devil

Date: June 2, 2025
​Time: 7:30pm
Location: Grace United Methodist Church   
Address: 6199 Waterman Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112
Admission: Free

Concert Artists

Shannon Wood, Percussion

Shawn Weil, Violin

Amanda Stewart, Trombone

Steven Franklin, Trumpet

Tzuying Huang, Clarinet

Julia Paine, Bassoon

Erik Harris, Bass

Jacalyn G. Wood, Narrator

Soldier's Tale Story

Once upon a time, there was a soldier named Joseph who was returning home on leave from the army. As he marched down the road, playing his cherished violin, he dreamed of seeing his family again. Along the way, he encountered an old man, who was actually the Devil in disguise. The Devil convinced Joseph to trade his violin for a magical book that could predict the future and bring untold wealth. Tempted by the promise of riches, Joseph agreed to the trade.

The Devil invited Joseph to his house, where Joseph spent three days teaching the old man to play the violin. However, when Joseph finally returned to his village, he discovered that those three days had mysteriously turned into three years. Everything had changed; his mother had passed away, his fiancée had married someone else, and no one recognized him anymore. Desperate and disheartened, Joseph turned to the magical book, using its power to amass great wealth.

Despite his newfound riches, Joseph was deeply unhappy. The wealth brought him no joy, and he felt hollow inside. Realizing that the Devil's book had cost him his soul, Joseph decided to leave his wealth behind and try to reclaim his former life. He wandered from place to place, eventually hearing about a sick princess whose father, the King, had promised her hand in marriage to anyone who could cure her.

Seeing a chance to find happiness again, Joseph traveled to the kingdom. Using the book, he tried to cure the princess, but his efforts were in vain. Realizing that he needed his violin, Joseph devised a plan to trick the Devil. He managed to reclaim his violin and, with its music, cured the princess. Overjoyed, the King blessed their marriage, and Joseph and the princess fell deeply in love.

However, the Devil was not done with Joseph. He warned Joseph that if he ever tried to return to his former home, the Devil would come for his soul. Ignoring the warning, Joseph and the princess decided to visit his village to share their happiness with the people he once knew. As they crossed the border, the Devil appeared, claiming Joseph's soul as promised. Joseph was taken away, leaving the princess heartbroken and alone.
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The moral of the story is a timeless one: beware of deals with the Devil. Temptation and greed can lead one astray, making one lose sight of what truly matters in life. Joseph's tale is a cautionary one, reminding us that material wealth can never replace love, happiness, and the human connections that give life meaning.

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The Soldier's Tale Video above is an animated classic by the renowned New Yorker illustrator R.O. Blechman, based on Igor Stravinsky's 1918 composition. This poetic tale revolves around a young soldier's return home, where he strikes a deal with the devil, trading his beloved violin for boundless wealth.

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