About
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) was a Russian-born composer, later naturalized French and American. He studied with Rimsky-Korsakov and achieved fame through his ballets for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes: The Firebird (1910), Petrushka (1911), and The Rite of Spring (1913), whose premiere caused a scandal. His work is divided into three periods: Russian, Neoclassical, and Serial. Major pieces include Pulcinella, Oedipus Rex, Symphony of Psalms, The Rake's Progress, and Requiem Canticles. Settling in the United States in 1939, he collaborated with Robert Craft and left a lasting impact on modern music.
Major works
- L'Oiseau de feu (1910)ballet
- Petrouchka (1911)ballet
- Le Sacre du printemps (1913)ballet
- Symphonie de psaumes (1930)choral and orchestral work
- The Rake's Progress (1951)opera
Key milestones
- 1913The premiere of The Rite of Spring in Paris causes a riot.
- 1934He becomes a French citizen.
- 1945He becomes an American citizen.
Themes
NeoclassicismRussian folkloreRhythm and dissonanceSerialismMusical theater
Sources: fondation-igor-stravinsky.org · loc.gov · bl.uk