CSQ's innovative Stravinsky Quartet Project aims to transcribe Stravinsky's ballets to string quartet form. The project is a multi-concert performance series and dance collaboration focusing on The Rite of Spring, Firebird and Petroushka. Inspired by a description of Stravinsky surrounded by percussion as he played piano for the rehearsals leading up to the world-premiere of the Rite of Spring, the transcriptions feature the quartet members doubling on percussion.

​

CSQ violinist and composer David Ryther’s original transcription of the Rite of Spring for string quartet and percussion had its premiere in 2017. The suite from the Firebird, scored for quartet, percussion, and piano premiered in 2019. The third ballet, Petroushka, is planned for the future. 

​

CSQ pairs the Rite of Spring and Firebird alongside related works to highlight the structure, impulses and influences of these masterpieces.

​

The Rite of Spring and Firebird can be heard in CSQ concert programs and this project will culminate with fully staged versions of these ballets in collaboration with leading choreographers and dancers from New York and the Bay Area.