Soldier’s Tale plays out

The second installment of the Island Soundscape Chamber Players series of cross-over compositions adds local writer Bill Branley’s contemporary twist to Igor Stravinsky’s “L’Histoire du Soldat (The Soldier’s Tale). Set in contemporary time, the story centers around a soldier returning from war. Much like the original first produced in 1918, the protagonist is a war surviving violinist who sells his musical instrument to the devil.

The second installment of the Island Soundscape Chamber Players series of cross-over compositions adds local writer Bill Branley’s contemporary twist to Igor Stravinsky’s “L’Histoire du Soldat (The Soldier’s Tale).

Set in contemporary time, the story centers around a soldier returning from war. Much like the original first produced in 1918, the protagonist is a war surviving violinist who sells his musical instrument to the devil.

“Like the original, this soldier also plays the violin and meets Rufus (the devil) who wants the violin to play with in his band, the Texas Objectors,” said chamber member Allen Strange.

However, whereas Stravinsky’s piece is set during World War I, the chamber player’s production contains a perhaps more relatable theme: a soldier returning from the War in Iraq.

To revamp the music, Strange looked for a way to “rewrite the entire play.” Stravinsky’s production of “L’Histoire du Soldat” debuted with eight instruments and accompanying dancing actors set to a Russian folk-tale inspired poem written by Swiss novelist Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz. Strange compared Stravinsky’s transformed piece with his original (about 45 minutes worth of music), then re-orchestrated the score for a trio of violin, clarinet, and piano.

The chamber players production includes narration by Branley, music by the trio and multi-media images created by Lily Bristow and choreographed by Dave Bristow.

While Stravinsky’s piece was later adapted to a criticized short story by Kurt Vonnegut in 1993, Strange believes that the audience, along with Stravinsky, would approve of the piece’s contemporary feel.

“I love Stravinsky,” Strange said. “I think he’d be happy with our production’s modern day story.”

“L’Histoire du Soldat” takes the stage at 4 p.m. Feb. 25 at Island Music Guild Hall, 10598 Valley Rd. Admission is $15. Info: (206) 780-6911

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