Stravinsky's last ballet composition “Agon. Ballet for Twelve Dancers” was written over a period of three years (1954–1957). During that time, he used various composition methods and, as a result, modal and serial techniques are interwoven in a unique way.

Stravinsky evidently based the construction of his work on a French dance textbook from the mid-17th century. In addition, according to its formal structure, “Agon” is a suite which, in its outward semblance, also follows an example from the 17th century.

The choreographic content of the piece is both timeless and lacking in substance, for Stravinsky composed his work without any thought of décor or scenery. No specific musical or choreographic intention was to be pursued; the visual performance was to be left entirely to the interpretation of the choreographer.

With “studio reihe neuer musik”, Wergo created a trademark of advanced contemporary music in the Sixties. On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, Wergo now releases these highlights of 20th-century music history in an excellent sound quality on CD for the first time.

The recordings were originally published on LP in 1964 (WER50002).