Stravinskij

Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky was a Russian-born composer, pianist, and conductor. He is widely considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Born in Oranienbaum, Russia, in 1882, Stravinsky initially studied law before dedicating himself to music. His early works, including the ballets "The Firebird," "Petrushka," and "The Rite of Spring," composed for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, brought him international fame and established him as a leading figure in modernist music.

Stravinsky's compositional output is often divided into distinct periods, characterized by shifts in style. His "Russian period" is known for its vibrant, folk-inspired melodies and complex rhythms. Following World War I, he entered his "Neoclassical period," which saw him drawing inspiration from the forms and styles of earlier musical eras, such as the Baroque and Classical periods, while imbuing them with modern harmonies and orchestration. Later in his career, he explored serialism and other avant-garde techniques in his "Serial period."

Throughout his life, Stravinsky lived in various countries, including Switzerland and France, before settling in the United States in 1939. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1945. His prolific output encompasses operas, symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and choral works. Stravinsky's innovative use of rhythm, harmony, and orchestration had a profound impact on subsequent generations of composers, solidifying his legacy as a pivotal figure in the development of Western classical music. He died in New York City in 1971 at the age of 88.