Program​
Igor Stravinsky: Soldier's Tale

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

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In response to the devastating May 16 tornado, our June 2 concert has been designated as a benefit concert to support local relief efforts. The Ariel Concert Series and the Musicians of the SLSO are honored to stand with the community during this difficult time. As always, admission to the concert is free, but donations are encouraged and will go directly toward supporting those affected by the tornado.
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

Igor Stravinksy’s The Soldier’s Tale or Histoire du soldat (Tale of the Soldier) was premiered in September of 1918 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Stravinsky dedicated the work to Werner Reinhart, a Swiss philanthropist and a benefactor to Stravinsky. The
Soldier’s Tale is a theatrical work written for seven instruments and a narrator. Actors and dancers are often used during the production to represent the three main characters of the story - Joseph, the soldier, the Devil, and the Princess.

The creation of The Soldier’s Tale began after World War 1, when Stravinsky was facing financial hardship and career difficulties. The work was a collaborative effort between Stravinsky and his friends C.F. Ramuz, a writer and librettist, and Ernest Ansermet, a conductor. It was not possible at the time to produce large scale works with full orchestra, so the three friends created a small, portable theatre and mini-orchestra. The story of The Soldier’s Tale was inspired by legends of soldiers that deserted during World War 1, only to have their souls taken by the Devil. In Stravinksy’s version, the soldier, Joseph, sells his violin to the Devil in exchange for great wealth and a book that tells the future. However, after spending three days with the Devil, Joseph learns
that three years have gone by. His old life is no longer the one he knew, and his beloved fiancé has married another man. Joseph misses his old life, regrets his decision to make a deal with the Devil, and tears up the book. However, Joseph soon learns of a
new opportunity. The king’s daughter is sick and anyone who can save her will be given her hand in marriage. Joseph sets out with new hope that he might save the princess.

The Devil won’t leave Joseph alone, but after defeating him in a card game, Joseph is briefly freed from the Devil’s power. He is able to cure the princess by playing his violin and then uses his virtuoso skills to incapacitate the Devil. Sadly, Joseph’s victory is only temporary. In the end, the Devil reclaims control of Joseph’s soul. The moral of the story (that Joseph failed to learn) is to let go of greed, perfectionism, and immoral desires, and to control the compulsion to obtain more of everything. No one can have it all.
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.