After the Infernal Dance, a lullaby. The monsters have collapsed, and the Firebird puts Kashchei to sleep.
The bassoon gets the tune, a lazy, swaying one, over rocking harp and hushed strings. The bassoon is usually the orchestra’s comedian. Here it sings, low and alone, and it’s one of the loveliest things in the piece.
The movement doesn’t end. It thins to a quiet string tremolo and hangs there, and the Finale grows out of it without a break. Kashchei sleeps; we wait.