Igor Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale
Roger Waters · 2018
79 min · 46 tracks · opera
A dramatic retelling of Stravinsky’s classic, blending theatrical narrative with Waters' distinctive storytelling and soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hey Satan, you bastard… — This track encapsulates the internal struggle of the soldier, combining dark humor with poignant reflection on choices made, illustrating Waters’ lyrical depth.
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The Soldier, disconsolate… — Here, the emotional weight of the soldier's alienation is palpable; Waters crafts an evocative scene that resonates with themes of loss and regret.
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Triumphant March of the Devil — This piece represents the climax of the narrative, serving as a powerful musical statement that blends irony with celebration in a unique orchestral arrangement.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends narrative and music, showcasing Waters' unique style while adapting a classic work.
What we noticed
- The album features a narrative structure, with tracks that alternate between musical pieces and spoken dialogue, creating a theatrical experience.
- Several tracks are reprises of earlier themes, reinforcing motifs and character development throughout the story.
- The pacing varies significantly, with some sections building tension through rapid tempo changes while others slow down for reflective moments.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- narrative-driven listening experience
- playful yet dark storytelling
- short tracks for varied engagement
- reflective moments of stillness
- immersive character exploration
Maybe skip if you
- seeking straightforward structure
- preferring longer, cohesive pieces
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — A departure into theatrical music, blending classical with modern elements.
- Career context
- Released in 2018, Igor Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale marked Roger Waters' exploration into theatrical music, coming after his acclaimed solo career post-Pink Floyd. This project reflects a significant shift as he revisits and reinterprets classical works, showcasing his versatility beyond rock.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Gilmour· Peter Gabriel· King Crimson
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Soldier’s March 1:47
- 2 Slogging homeword… 2:20
- 3 Airs by a Stream 2:35
- 4 As you can hear… 7:41
- 5 The Soldier’s March (reprise) 1:48
- 6 Eventually, Joseph reaches his home village… 2:56
- 7 Pastorale 2:35
- 8 The Soldier, disconsolate… 4:13
- 9 Pastorale (reprise) 0:37
- 10 The Soldier, slowly coming back to himself… 2:48
- 11 Airs by a Stream (reprise): To stretch out on the grass… 0:47
- 12 Hey Satan, you bastard… 5:33
- 13 Airs by a Stream (2nd reprise) 0:46
- 14 Naught to be gained here… 0:06
- 15 The Soldier’s March (2nd reprise): Down a hot and dusty track… 0:50
- 16 He doesn’t even know himself… 0:52
- 17 The Soldier’s March (3rd reprise): Will he take the road to home… 0:28
- 18 He doesn’t have a home anymore… 3:56
- 19 The Royal March 2:38
- 20 So, all was arranged… 0:58
- 21 Later that night… 8:39
- 22 The Little Concert: Light floods the eastern sky… 2:59
- 23 The Soldier, with a confident air… 0:46
- 24 Three Dances: Tango (part 1) 1:18
- 25 Three Dances: Tango (part 2) 1:01
- 26 Three Dances: Waltz & Ragtime 4:02
- 27 So, first a Tango… 0:40
- 28 The Devil’s Dance 1:20
- 29 The Devil, confused… 0:27
- 30 The Little Chorale 0:42
- 31 The Devil recovers some of his wits… 0:13
- 32 The Devil’s Song: Alright! You’ll be safe at home… 0:39
- 33 Hm, a fair warning… 0:13
- 34 Grand Chorale (part 1) 0:29
- 35 Spring, summer, autumn… 0:16
- 36 Grand Chorale (part 2) 0:30
- 37 Steady now… 0:11
- 38 Grand Chorale (part 3) 0:27
- 39 Steady, just smell the flowers… 0:13
- 40 Grand Chorale (part 4) 0:52
- 41 Now I have everything… 0:34
- 42 Grand Chorale (part 5) 0:55
- 43 The Princess, all excited… 1:21
- 44 Grand Chorale (part 6) 0:26
- 45 And so, off they go… 1:13
- 46 Triumphant March of the Devil 2:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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