Composer

:

Igor Stravinsky

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1943

Average_duration

:

3:48

Igor Stravinsky's "Circus Polka" is a short ballet composed in 1942 for a ballet company in New York City. The piece was commissioned by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to be performed by 50 elephants and their trainers. The premiere of the ballet took place on April 20, 1942, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The ballet consists of a single movement, a polka, and lasts approximately three minutes. The music is scored for a large orchestra, including percussion, brass, and woodwinds. The piece is characterized by its playful and energetic melody, which is punctuated by the sounds of the circus, such as the trumpeting of elephants and the cracking of whips. The ballet begins with a fanfare of trumpets, followed by a lively polka melody played by the woodwinds. The elephants then enter the stage, led by their trainers, and begin to perform a series of choreographed movements to the music. The trainers use whips and other tools to guide the elephants, who move in unison to the rhythm of the music. The piece is notable for its use of unconventional instrumentation, such as the use of a whip as a percussion instrument. Stravinsky also incorporates elements of circus music, such as the use of fanfares and the sounds of animals, into the composition. Overall, "Circus Polka" is a lighthearted and whimsical piece that captures the playful spirit of the circus. Its short length and catchy melody make it a popular choice for orchestral performances and children's concerts.

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