Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme Features Stravinsky Soundtrack
The Phoenician Scheme prominently features the music of Igor Stravinsky, including recordings of The Firebird, Petrushka, and Apollon Musagète.
Wes Anderson’s latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, is in wide release in theaters on June 6. Known for his meticulous and distinctive use of music, Anderson turns to one of the 20th century’s most influential composers to shape the sonic identity of his new work. Excerpts from Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird, Petrushka, and Apollon Musagète feature prominently throughout the film, alongside original music by Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat. The film score creates a vivid aural counterpoint to Anderson’s stylized visuals and layered storytelling.
Several of Alexandre Desplat’s cues reference The Firebird, particularly its haunting opening motif, which recurs throughout the film to heighten tension and emotional impact. In an interview with Variety, Desplat explains: “The seed of the score comes from a piece by Stravinsky, and there’s this little, short melody that I’ve used, and twisted and expanded.” The film’s soundtrack, released by ABKCO, also includes recordings of Stravinsky’s music conducted by the composer himself.
The Phoenician Scheme continues Anderson’s long-standing engagement with classical music in his films. Moonrise Kingdom (2012) weaves Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra and other works into the fabric of the story, while Isle of Dogs (2018) features Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé Suite to striking effect.
Stravinsky—whose groundbreaking work reshaped classical music in the 20th century—finds fresh cultural resonance in Anderson’s world. More than a century after its creation, his music remains startlingly modern.
The Phoenician Scheme is now playing in theaters. Igor Stravinsky is published by Boosey & Hawkes, a Concord Company.
Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features