Serge Diaghilev
Photograph of Alexandra Danilova and Serge Lifar in the ballet Apollon Musagete. Picryl
The ballet impresario Serge Diaghilev was famous for commissioning ballet music for the Ballets Russes before and after World War I. Stravinsky was his most famous protege, who composed pieces such as The Rite of Spring. Diaghilev drew music from many other composers including Francis Poulenc and Sergei Prokofiev. On this week's Classics of the Phonograph, Saturday at 11 am on WILL-FM, you will hear ballet music inspired by Diaghilev.