Prequels: Before Stravinsky's The Firebird

Of course Stravinsky was an original genius, but I would argue that much of his originality lies not in his choice of material, but in the way he treated it and in the compelling transformations of it that his music contains. As Exhibit 1, I offer this comparison of the Danse Infernal from The Firebird to the Ronde Infernal in Rimsky-Korsakov's little-known opera-ballet Mlada. Have a listen.
Musical Examples:
The Firebird: Robert Craft/Philharmonic Orchestra (Naxos 8.557500)
Mlada (Night on Mount Triglav): Igor Golovschin/Moscow Symphony Orchestra (Naxos 8.553789)

Видео Prequels: Before Stravinsky's The Firebird канала The Ultimate Classical Music Guide by Dave Hurwitz