Agon: The First 12-Tone Ballet

Stravinsky wrote Agon between the years of 1953-57 (Stravinsky began writing in 1953 and then took a break to work on another piece). It is known for being the first 12-tone ballet-- something very controversial for the time. What I find most interesting is that it is not completely serial, that is, the piece begins tonal and develops into serialism as Stravinsky begins implementing the 12-tone technique. Only a portion of the 24 minute Ballet is technically classified as "serial". Theorists have tried to decode the reason for mixed executions by Stravinsky, some say that he started as a tonal composer and when he returned to the piece he was a serialist--although that time line doesn't exactly make sense because it has been revealed that some of the serialism had been employed before his break from Agon.

Whatever the reason, it is still fascinating to see a piece begin tonal and expand into serialism--its almost as if we are being let into Stravinsky's mind, thought process, and journey in and out of tonality-- a rare opportunity.

Agon: The First 12-tone Ballet