As a result of the altered economic, social, and cultural conditions consequent upon World War I and the Russian Revolution of 1917, Stravinsky became convinced that the large, complex, prewar symphony orchestra was obsolete. He accordingly began to score his compositions with stringent economy, employing only those instruments calculated to convey most effectively the range and tonal possibilities of their respective classes. This change in Stravinsky's style is well illustrated in three of his works produced ¡n 1918-19, namely, the Histoire du Soldat, for seven instruments and narrator; Ragtime, for eleven instruments; and Suite, for unaccompanied clarinet. After 1923 Stravinsky's style consistently exhibited a strict classical formalism and, on the whole, a severe economy of both instrumentation and tonal color. His other notable works include the symphonic poem Le Chant du Rossignol ("The Nightingale's Song", 1908-14) ; Renard (1916-17), an opera for voice and chamber ensemble; Les Noces 1914-17), a ballet featuring scenes of old Russia; the oratorio Oedipus Rex ("Oedipus the King", 1927); the ballet Jeu de Caries ("The Card Party", 1936); Symphonie de Psaumes ("Symphony of Psalms", 1930); Symphony in C (1940); Norwegian Moods (1944), four "episodes" for orchestra; Symphony in Three Movements (1945); Ebony Concerto (1945), for clarinet and jazz band; Orpheus (1948), a ballet based on the Greek legend; and The Rake's Progress (1951), an opera with libretto written mainly by the Anglo-American poet W. H. Auden. Stravinsky was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1957.
