Stravinsky Wrote This for an Anniversary

Igor Stravinsky composed his famous Dumbarton Oaks concerto as a gift for a wealthy couple celebrating their thirtieth wedding anniversary. It is named after the sprawling Washington, D.C. estate where the piece was first performed.

Robert and Mildred Bliss were major art patrons who commissioned this work for a private celebration in their historic home. Unlike typical grand orchestral pieces, this concerto was written for a small chamber ensemble to fit the intimate setting of their music room. The resulting composition remains one of the most celebrated examples of his neo-classical style. Today, the estate is a renowned research library and museum that preserves the couple’s legacy.