Commissioned by Serge Diaghilev, the impresario who founded the Ballet Russes
Pulcinella's relatively modest demands, in contrast to the huge orchestral demands of the ballet scores preceding WWI, are indicative of the reduced scale of Diaghilev's post-war enterprises
This work is neoclassical in style
Reflects a reaction against the emotionalism and 'giganticism' of late-Romantic music
It uses 18th-century models
The Sinfonia is based on music by Gallo
The Gavotta is extracted from keyboard variations by Monza
The Vivo is built on a cello sonata by Pergolesi
Stravinsky goes further than arranging his 18th-century materials; instead, though retaining the broad outlines of the originals, he 'recomposes' them
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