Stravinsky, one of the most important composers of the 20th century, devoted himself intensively to exploring stylistic questions. When Christopher Isherwood once asked him for advice, Stravinsky recommended looking for role models. Numerous inspirations can be discerned in his oeuvre, which ranges from early compositions like The Firebird to later works with serial influences from Webern and Krenek.
Especially in Stravinsky's neoclassical pieces, some unexpected sources of reference emerge. His stylistic choices often deviated from established conventions and were designed to challenge conventional expectations. Mavra is probably his first consistently neoclassical opera, in which he draws on 19th-century Russian music. Under the influence of Tchaikovsky, a complex work emerged that recombines and reinterprets traditional musical elements.
Although the influence of other composers is evident in Mavra, Stravinsky's music developed its own unique dynamism and creative energy. He understood how to incorporate diverse stylistic elements and fuse them into a distinctive musical language. The Fairy's Kiss is another example of an original arrangement of Tchaikovsky's material.
The work Scènes de ballet subtly connects to the tradition of narrative ballet. For the Broadway production "The Seven Lively Arts," commissioned by impresario Billy Rose, Stravinsky composed a dance suite that combined his aesthetic rigor with ironic provocation. This added a unique dimension to the stage program, which included comedians, songs, and other performances. Performances of Scènes de ballet met with mixed reviews and reflected the challenges American promoters faced with Stravinsky's music.