Senior Music AppreciationSenior Music AppreciationMr. Swonger, instructorMr. Swonger, instructor

The Life of Igor StravinskyThe Life of Igor Stravinsky

Early LifeEarly Life

Born in 1882 in Oraniembaum, Born in 1882 in Oraniembaum, RussiaRussia

Originally studied to be a lawyer, but Originally studied to be a lawyer, but later changed to composition.later changed to composition.

Early LifeEarly Life

At the age of 20 he began studying At the age of 20 he began studying with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakav, a with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakav, a prominent Russian composer.prominent Russian composer.

CompositionsCompositions

At the age of 20, Stravinsky gained the At the age of 20, Stravinsky gained the attention of Sergei Diaghilev, whom attention of Sergei Diaghilev, whom commissioned him to write the ballet commissioned him to write the ballet L’Oiseau de feu (The Firebird).L’Oiseau de feu (The Firebird).

In 1910 he left for Paris, leaving Russia for In 1910 he left for Paris, leaving Russia for the first time. the first time.

While here he wrote two new ballets, While here he wrote two new ballets, Petrushka and Le Sacre du printemps (The Petrushka and Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring)Rite of Spring)

CompositionsCompositions

The Rite of Spring is probably The Rite of Spring is probably Stravinsky’s most popular Stravinsky’s most popular compositions.compositions.

It is known for its strong dissonance It is known for its strong dissonance throughout the entire work. throughout the entire work.

At it’s debut a riot ensued in which At it’s debut a riot ensued in which police were necessary to control the police were necessary to control the crowd. crowd.

CompositionsCompositions

There was almost no form of music There was almost no form of music that Stravinsky did not write at some that Stravinsky did not write at some point in his life. point in his life.

He wrote everything from concertos He wrote everything from concertos to symphonies and oratorios. to symphonies and oratorios.

He is most famous for his ballet He is most famous for his ballet works, however. works, however.

CompositionsCompositions

Stravinsky used nearly every style of Stravinsky used nearly every style of musical notation from the 20musical notation from the 20thth century.century.

Most notably he used much tonal, Most notably he used much tonal, polytonal, and 12-tone serialism. polytonal, and 12-tone serialism.

Later LifeLater Life

Jan 23, 1906 Jan 23, 1906 Stravinsky married Stravinsky married Katerina Nossenko. Katerina Nossenko. They were married They were married for 33 years.for 33 years.

He would later He would later marry Vera de marry Vera de Bosset, whom he Bosset, whom he had an affair with.had an affair with.

In 1939 he moved to In 1939 he moved to the United States, the United States, where he composed where he composed many works.many works.

He died in 1971 in He died in 1971 in the United States. the United States.

He continued to He continued to compose music until compose music until his deathhis death

ImpactImpact

The Rite of Spring saw a change in The Rite of Spring saw a change in the use of motive material. Notes the use of motive material. Notes would be added or subtracted would be added or subtracted without any regard to time signature. without any regard to time signature.

ImpactImpact

Used ostinato patterns that were not Used ostinato patterns that were not for accompaniment.for accompaniment.

He would put several ostinatos He would put several ostinatos against each other to create whole against each other to create whole passages. This was not done until he passages. This was not done until he used it in The Rite of Spring.used it in The Rite of Spring.

ImpactImpact

Stravinsky was known for his use of Stravinsky was known for his use of innovative combinations of innovative combinations of instruments in his works.instruments in his works.

He experimented extensively with He experimented extensively with the extreme registers of instruments. the extreme registers of instruments. The Rite of Spring utilized the The Rite of Spring utilized the extreme high register of the bassoon extreme high register of the bassoon in the opening statement.in the opening statement.

PopularityPopularity

Considered to be one of the most Considered to be one of the most influential composers of the 20influential composers of the 20thth century.century.

TimeTime magazine considered him one magazine considered him one of the most influential people of the of the most influential people of the century.century.

ReferencesReferences

Wikipedia, Igor StravinskyWikipedia, Igor Stravinskyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Strahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Stravinskyvinsky

Time Time Magazine, Igor StravinskyMagazine, Igor Stravinskyhttp://www.time.com/time/time100/ahttp://www.time.com/time/time100/artists/profile/stravinsky.htmlrtists/profile/stravinsky.html