This recording of three of Stravinsky’s major works of the period was made in 1951 at the new radio station in Cologne, and features the composer himself conducting the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra.

On October 8, 1951 the newly built state-of-the-art complex 'Funkhaus' at Wallraffplatz in Cologne put on a very special concert. No less a figure than Igor Stravinsky was called in as the godfather of the new "great broadcasting hall". The programme performed consisted of three of Stravinsky’s recent works, 'Apollon musagète', 'Oedipus-Rex' and, as a German debut, the 'Symphonies of Wind Instruments'. The Radio Orchestra was conducted by the composer himself, and the soloists in Oedipus Rex were Peter Pears, Martha Mödl, Heinz Rehfuss, Otto von Rohr and Helmut Krebs. The narrator was Werner Hessenland and the chorus was an augmented version of the male voice choir of the NWDR.

The recordings on this album were made in the studio on the day before the concert.

Cast:
- Oedipus: Peter Pears
- Jocaste: Martha Mödl
- Kreon: Heinz Rehfuß
- Tiresias: Otto von Rohr
- Shepherd: Helmut Krebs