' Stravinsky, our famous Igor, my first son, has given himself up entirely to the love of God and cash!' (DIAGHILEV, 1928) Today's programme completes the story of Igor Stravinsky's lengthy association with the Princess de Polignac, and CHARLES ROSEN plays one of the pieces Stravinsky dedicated to her: the Piano Sonata of 1924. The story is told of a much more short-lived friendship: the Polish composer Karol Szymanowski visited Paris occasionally in the 20s, and with uncanny perception, the Princess induced him to accept a commission that would exploit his deep but complex feelings towards his native land. The work was to turn eventually into a Polish version of the Stabat Mater - but by then the Princess would no longer be in the picture.
Written and narrated by Piers Burton-Page : records