The Devil: Leonard Nimoy
The Soldier: Richard Thomas

Played by: The Philadelphia Orchestra

In the Soldier's Tale (1918) Stravinsky invented a new style in melody, rhythm and instrumentation like Jazz is, though he did not know Jazz at the time, using march and waltz, Lutheran hymn, Tango a. o., too. Only 7 instruments (clarinet, bassoon, cornet, trombone, violin, double bass and percussion) are used. In the concert the Devil, the Soldier and a Princess do the speaking parts (by Leonard Nimoy, Richard Thomas a. o.).

A deserting soldier meets a girl and has to decide whether to swap his violin (= his soul) for a book. The book contains charts of the future economy. In the end the devil possesses the soldier's soul, celebrating his victory in the end while he dances. The soldier's violin becomes a symbol of both the soldier's soul and the Devil's wiles. Though the story is a combination of various cultures and times, the story is based on a Russian folk tale.

• The Soldier's March
• Soldier At The Brook
• Pastorale
• The Royal March
• The Little Concert
• Three Dances: Tango, Waltz, Ragtime
• The Devil's Dance
• Grand Chorale
• Triumphal March of the Devil