Strutinskij

Stravinskij, more commonly spelled as Igor Stravinsky, was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century classical music. Born on June 17, 1882, in Oranienbaum, Russia, he is best known for his innovative approach to rhythm, harmony, and orchestration. His early works drew from Russian folk themes and traditional Russian music, but later evolved to incorporate neoclassical and serialist elements.

Stravinsky’s career gained international prominence with the composition of three groundbreaking ballets created for Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes: The Firebird (1910), Petrushka (1911), and The Rite of Spring (1913). The Rite of Spring, in particular, caused a scandal at its premiere due to its avant-garde structure and dissonant sound, yet it has since become one of the most influential works in modern music.

Throughout his life, Stravinsky experimented with various musical styles, including primitivism, neoclassicism, and serialism, reflecting his ability to adapt and innovate. His work influenced generations of composers and expanded the expressive possibilities of orchestral, choral, and instrumental music.

Stravinsky’s notable compositions also include Symphony of Psalms, Symphony in C, and the opera Oedipus Rex. He divided his later years between Europe and the United States, continuing to compose and conduct well into his 80s. Igor Stravinsky died on April 6, 1971, in New York City, leaving a legacy as one of the most transformative figures in the history of Western music.