pˈɑːɹt ʌvðə mˌoʊɾɪvˈeɪʃən bᵻhˌaɪnd ɪts kˌɑːmpəzˈɪʃən hˈæzbiːn sˈaɪɾᵻd baɪ ɹˈɑːbɚt kɹˈæft ænd ˈʌðɚz æz ðə pɹˈɑːdʌkt əvə spˈɪɹɪtʃˌuːəl nəsˈɛsɪɾi, æz stɹævˈɪnski ɪntˈɛndᵻd ðə wˈɜːk təbi jˈuːzd fˈʌŋkʃənəli.
Part of the motivation behind its composition has been cited by Robert Craft and others as the product of a spiritual necessity, as Stravinsky intended the work to be used functionally.