Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (June 17, 1882 – April 6, 1971) was a seminal Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. Widely acknowledged as one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century, Stravinsky’s innovations in musical design and rhythm were transformative, his stylistic diversity astonishing. His works, spanning over six decades, journey from late-Romantic to neoclassical to serialist styles.
Early life and education
Stravinsky was born on June 17, 1882, in Oranienbaum, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia. His father, Fyodor Stravinsky, was a prominent bass singer at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, while his mother, Anna, was an accomplished pianist. Despite being surrounded by music in his childhood, Stravinsky initially pursued law at his parents’ behest, enrolling at Saint Petersburg University in 1901.
While at university, Stravinsky became acquainted with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, one of the leading Russian composers of the time, and he began to take private lessons with him. This was the true start of Stravinsky’s career in music, and he decided to give up his law studies to focus entirely on his musical training.
Early career and “The Rite of Spring”
Stravinsky’s first major breakthrough came in 1909 when his orchestral works caught the attention of Sergei Diaghilev, impresario of the Ballets Russes in Paris. This encounter led to the commissioning of “The Firebird,” which premiered in Paris in 1910 and became an immediate success. Stravinsky became well-known in European artistic circles, and his subsequent ballets, “Petrushka” (1911) and “The Rite of Spring” (1913), further enhanced his reputation.
“The Rite of Spring,” infamous for provoking a riot at its premiere, is known for its innovative and complex rhythmic structures, timbres, and use of dissonance. Despite the initial public reaction, it has since become one of the most influential works in the history of Western music.
World War I and transition to neoclassicism
World War I and the Russian Revolution caused significant disruption in Stravinsky’s life. He lived in Switzerland during the war and moved to France after the Bolsheviks took power in Russia.
In the 1920s, Stravinsky entered a neoclassical phase, returning to the musical forms and styles of earlier centuries and combining them with 20th-century techniques. This period included some of his best-known works, such as “Pulcinella” (1920), “Symphony of Psalms” (1930), and “The Rake’s Progress” (1951).
Move to America and serialism
Stravinsky emigrated to the United States in 1939, just before the outbreak of World War II, and settled in West Hollywood, California. He was introduced to the serialist techniques of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern and began incorporating them into his compositions. Notable works from this period include “Agon” (1957) and “Movements for Piano and Orchestra” (1958-59).
Legacy
Stravinsky’s works had a transformative effect on musical thought, and his explorations in rhythm, meter, and tonality were groundbreaking. He was also a skilled pianist and conductor, often leading performances of his own music. His influence can be seen in a diverse range of composers, from his contemporaries like Aaron Copland and Olivier Messiaen to later figures like Philip Glass and Steve Reich.
Stravinsky’s life was filled with prestigious awards and honors, including honorary doctorates from universities like Oxford and Harvard, the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal, and a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement.
Stravinsky passed away on April 6, 1971, in New York City. He was laid to rest in the cemetery of the San Michele island in Venice, close to the grave of Sergei Diaghilev, the man who helped start his extraordinary career.
Despite the passage of years, Igor Stravinsky’s innovative works continue to resonate, and his indelible mark on the world of music remains a testament to his prodigious talent. His compositions are performed worldwide, and his philosophies on music, rhythm, and composition still shape the contemporary music world.
Igor Stravinsky (1882 – 1971)
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (June 17, 1882 – April 6, 1971) was a seminal Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. Widely acknowledged as one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century, Stravinsky’s innovations in musical design and rhythm were transformative, his stylistic diversity astonishing. His works, spanning over six decades, journey from late-Romantic to neoclassical to serialist styles.
Early life and education
Stravinsky was born on June 17, 1882, in Oranienbaum, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia. His father, Fyodor Stravinsky, was a prominent bass singer at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, while his mother, Anna, was an accomplished pianist. Despite being surrounded by music in his childhood, Stravinsky initially pursued law at his parents’ behest, enrolling at Saint Petersburg University in 1901.
While at university, Stravinsky became acquainted with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, one of the leading Russian composers of the time, and he began to take private lessons with him. This was the true start of Stravinsky’s career in music, and he decided to give up his law studies to focus entirely on his musical training.
Early career and “The Rite of Spring”
Stravinsky’s first major breakthrough came in 1909 when his orchestral works caught the attention of Sergei Diaghilev, impresario of the Ballets Russes in Paris. This encounter led to the commissioning of “The Firebird,” which premiered in Paris in 1910 and became an immediate success. Stravinsky became well-known in European artistic circles, and his subsequent ballets, “Petrushka” (1911) and “The Rite of Spring” (1913), further enhanced his reputation.
“The Rite of Spring,” infamous for provoking a riot at its premiere, is known for its innovative and complex rhythmic structures, timbres, and use of dissonance. Despite the initial public reaction, it has since become one of the most influential works in the history of Western music.
World War I and transition to neoclassicism
World War I and the Russian Revolution caused significant disruption in Stravinsky’s life. He lived in Switzerland during the war and moved to France after the Bolsheviks took power in Russia.
In the 1920s, Stravinsky entered a neoclassical phase, returning to the musical forms and styles of earlier centuries and combining them with 20th-century techniques. This period included some of his best-known works, such as “Pulcinella” (1920), “Symphony of Psalms” (1930), and “The Rake’s Progress” (1951).
Move to America and serialism
Stravinsky emigrated to the United States in 1939, just before the outbreak of World War II, and settled in West Hollywood, California. He was introduced to the serialist techniques of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern and began incorporating them into his compositions. Notable works from this period include “Agon” (1957) and “Movements for Piano and Orchestra” (1958-59).
Legacy
Stravinsky’s works had a transformative effect on musical thought, and his explorations in rhythm, meter, and tonality were groundbreaking. He was also a skilled pianist and conductor, often leading performances of his own music. His influence can be seen in a diverse range of composers, from his contemporaries like Aaron Copland and Olivier Messiaen to later figures like Philip Glass and Steve Reich.
Stravinsky’s life was filled with prestigious awards and honors, including honorary doctorates from universities like Oxford and Harvard, the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal, and a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement.
Stravinsky passed away on April 6, 1971, in New York City. He was laid to rest in the cemetery of the San Michele island in Venice, close to the grave of Sergei Diaghilev, the man who helped start his extraordinary career.
Despite the passage of years, Igor Stravinsky’s innovative works continue to resonate, and his indelible mark on the world of music remains a testament to his prodigious talent. His compositions are performed worldwide, and his philosophies on music, rhythm, and composition still shape the contemporary music world.
Discography
L’esprit du temps
Anastasia Feruleva
Frank van de Laar
The Silence Between
Pieter van Loenen
Tobias Borsboom