10 Amazing Facts about Igor Stravinsky

Famous photograph of Stravinsky on a grand piano by Arnold Newman Photo by Arnold Newman – Wikimedia Commons 

10 Amazing  Facts about  Igor Stravinsky

Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky was born on 17th June 1882 in Russia. He was a pianist, conductor, and composer.

He is considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He was recognized for his modernistic music and stylistic diversity.

He had a unique way of writing music for instruments and voices which greatly influenced musicians after his time. these are 10 facts about Igor Stravinsky:

1. His life spanned Two World Wars

Igor Stravinsky lived for 89 years. The period is noted for two major world wars that reassigned global boundaries, a musical regime change throughout western society, and Victorian influences.

This period redefined the world. The relations between countries in Europe have been greatly affected especially in Russia where Igor was born.

He had moved to Switzerland when World War I began and after the Russian revolution, he was stuck in Paris unable to enter his country or access his savings. after his wife died he moved to the  U.S when World War II had begun.

2. His Parents had indulged in the Music Industry

Igor’s parents dabbled in the music industry. his father was a famous bass singer in the imperial theatres.

Fyodor Ignatievich Stravinsky was accredited with a rare title of an honored artist of the imperial theaters, in which he had served for a quarter of a century.  his mother was also a skilled pianist.

Despite their music careers, Stravinsky’s parents preferred he pursue a career as a lawyer. He attended the University of St. Petersburg as per his parent’s requests before finally choosing to follow his dream to become a musician.

3. He was a Pupil of Nikolai Rimsky –Korsakov

 Igor met the son of composer Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov while still at St. Petersburg university. Nikolai had a big reputation for orchestration and instruction.

Stravinsky went under his tutelage rather than study music in a traditional setting in 1902 after the death of his father.

He often referred to Nikolai as his second father who gave him intense home instruction and guidance.  Stravinsky soon later composed and dedicated a symphony in E-flat for him, and pastorale for his wife as one of his first works.

4. One of his most celebrated Works was a Wedding Present

Igor Stravinsky composed two pieces scherzo fantastique, and feu d’artifice these two pieces were later collectively named fireworks.

He performed them at saint Petersburg in 1909. They are one of Stravinsky’s most celebrated works. He composed fireworks for Nikolai Rimsky’s daughter as a wedding present.

In 1908 but was returned to him in 1908. he later performed them in front of   Sergei  Diaghilev. this fantasy orchestra piece remains widely accredited.

Most critics consider this his first truly characteristic piece four-minute work short work that wasn’t influenced by any instructor.

5. His Ballets for Sergio Diaghilev brought him immense fame

In February 1909 Igor performed in the saint Petersburg concert with his two pieces (fireworks).  Sergei Diaghilev who was a Russian impresario and owner of ballet Russes was in the audience.

he enjoyed Stravinsky’s compositions. He wanted to stage a mix of Russian opera and ballet for the Paris season. one of the new ballet was fresh talent based on the Russian fairytale of the firebird.

 Diaghilev asked  Stravinsky to compose satisfactory orchestrations for him and at 50 minutes in length, Stravinsky revised the firebird for concert performances in 1911, 1919, and 1945.

He also wrote two other compositions named Petrushka, and rite of spring that uniquely stunned audiences, and quickly became classics.

6. His music is divided into periods

Igor Stravinsky’s music is divided into three periods. there is the Russian period that took place between 1907-1919 began with compositions undertaken under the teachings of Nikolai Rimsky.

The second is the neoclassical period between 1920-1954 when he returned to classical music and explored themes from Greek mythology amongst others.

The serial period commenced in 1954 till 1968. This is when he began using serial composition techniques such as dodecaphony.

7. He associated himself with artistic companions

Igor Stravinsky was an incredible composer. his works greatly influenced classical music years after his death.

His successful career took him to many of the world’s major cities, including Paris, Venice, Berlin, London, Amsterdam, and New York City.

He was known for his politeness and courteous manner. Stravinsky was reputed to be a charming interlocutor.

He made high-profile friends such as Coco channel, Claude Debussy Pablo Picasso, Marcel Proust, and Charlie Chaplin. they were known as the les six.

8. He composed pieces for the New York city ballet

Igor Stravinsky had a long-term collaboration with choreographer George Balanchine. he was of Georgian –American descent and considered one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century.

Their first joint production called Apollon musagète was staged in 1928 by Diaghilev’s ballets Russes and was followed by specially commissioned scores, use of his non-ballet music in Balanchine’s productions and recently developed versions of the composer’s old ballets.

Even after the composer’s death Balanchine and his New York City ballet company hosted a festival twice in his honor.

9. He had three citizenships

Stravinsky was initially born in Russia. he wed his first cousin Katherina Nosenko and had children. they had fled to Switzerland when World War I commenced. In June 1920, Stravinsky and his family left Switzerland for France.

Fashionista Coco Channel later invited the family to live in her Paris mansion until they had found their own house. He became a citizen in 1934 and later moved to America after the death of his wife. He attained citizenship in 1945.

10. Stravinsky’s works were banned by the Soviet Union

Igor’s work was criticized, censored, and banned in his native land. The Soviet Union USSR banned his work in the 1920s to put an end to his career in his country.

he was later with the destalinization policy with the help of Nikita Khrushchev Thaw, in 1962 orchestras and musicians were allowed to reintegrate some of Igor’s works mainly those of his Russian period into their repertoires.

He was invited to give concerts in Moscow and Leningrad to mark his 80th birthday