Stravinsky had been the honoured guest of Prince Max Egon zu Fürstenberg, patron of the Donaueschinger Musiktage, during the 1957 and 1958 festivals. When the prince died in April 1959, Stravinsky was asked to write a short composition in his memory. The result was Epitaphium, which received its premiere on 17 October 1959, on one of that year’s three concerts, each of which included a newly composed musical tribute to the prince. The other two pieces were by Pierre Boulez (Tombeau, for soprano and instrumental ensemble, which later became the final movement of Pli selon pli) and Wolfgang Fortner (Parergon zu den Impromptus, for soprano and orchestra) (SWR n.d.; White 1979, 138, 508–509).

Date of composition 1959
Premiered 1959, October 17th in Donaueschingen, Germany
Dedicated to Dedicated to the tombstone of Prince Max Egon zu Fürstenberg
Approx. duration 2 minutes
Instruments Flute
Clarinet
Harp
Autotranslations beta Igor Stravinsky: Epitaphium
Igor' Fëdorovič Stravinskij: Epitaphium
Igor Strawinsky: Epitaphium