Igor Stravinsky | Artist
Igor Stravinsky was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, born 1882 in Saint Petersburg. He is widely considered one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century and a pivotal figure in modernist music. Stravinsky's father was an established bass opera singer, and the young Stravinsky grew up taking piano and music theory lessons. While studying law at the University of Saint Petersburg, he met Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and studied under him until Rimsky-Korsakov's death in 1908. Stravinsky met the impresario Sergei Diaghilev soon after, who commissioned Stravinsky to write three ballets: The Firebird (1910), Petrushka (1911), and The Rite of Spring (1913), the last of which brought him international fame after the near-riot at the premiere. The Rite of Spring signalled a shift in the course of music history, challenging traditional tonality and paving the way for the development of modernist and avant-garde movements. Stravinsky's work polarised the music establishment, with many composers and academics fervently disliking the avant-garde nature of Stravinsky's music. However later writers recognized his importance to the development of modernist music and its influence on composers like Aaron Copland, Philip Glass, Béla Bartók, and Pierre Boulez. Following the success of his early ballets, Stravinsky continued to explore new musical territories, experimenting with neoclassical and serialist techniques. His compositions encompass a wide range of genres, including symphonies, concertos, operas, and choral works, each displaying his remarkable ability to innovate and push the boundaries of musical expression. One of Stravinsky's most acclaimed works is "The Symphony of Psalms" (1930), a choral masterpiece that blends elements of traditional Russian sacred music with modernist sensibilities. Another notable composition is The Rake's Progress (1951), an opera co-written with W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman, which showcases Stravinsky's mastery of 18th-century classical forms infused with his distinctive harmonic language. Stravinsky's last major work was the Requiem Canticles (1966), which was performed at his funeral. Stravinsky's influence extended beyond composition, as he also established himself as a prominent conductor, interpreting both his own works and those of other composers with unparalleled insight and authority. His recordings of his own music remain significant contributions to the classical music canon. Standout recordings include Stravinsky Conducts Le sacre du printemps (1961), and Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky: The Firebird (1962), as well as countless recordings of leading conductors and orchestras performing Stravinsky's works. Stravinsky passed away on April 6, 1971, in New York City, leaving behind a rich and diverse body of work that secures his place as one of the most influential and innovative composers in the history of music.
Artist Website: wikipedia/Igor_Stravinsky
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