Igor Stravinsky

Date of Birth: June 17, 1882

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: April 6, 1971

Biography

Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky was a Russian-born composer, pianist, and conductor, widely regarded as one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. Born on June 17, 1882, in Oranienbaum (now Lomonosov), Russia, Stravinsky showed early musical promise and received private lessons in piano and music theory. He later studied law and philosophy at the University of Saint Petersburg but pursued music under the tutelage of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Stravinsky first gained international fame with his ballets commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev for the Ballets Russes, including “The Firebird” (1910), “Petrushka” (1911), and “The Rite of Spring” (1913). The premiere of “The Rite of Spring” famously caused a riot in Paris due to its avant-garde structure and complex rhythms. Throughout his career, Stravinsky explored various musical styles, from Russian folk themes to neoclassicism and serialism. He emigrated to the United States in 1939, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1945. Stravinsky continued to compose, conduct, and lecture well into his later years, leaving behind an enduring legacy of innovation and artistic excellence. He passed away on April 6, 1971, in New York City, and was buried in Venice, Italy, on the island of San Michele.

5 Interesting Facts about Igor Stravinsky

1. Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” premiere in 1913 was so controversial that it incited a riot among the audience.

2. He collaborated with notable artists such as Pablo Picasso, who designed stage sets for his ballet “Pulcinella.”

3. Stravinsky was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal in 1954.

4. He composed music for the film “The Soldier’s Tale” (1918), blending theater, music, and dance.

5. Stravinsky was known for his meticulous attention to detail, often revising and editing his works extensively.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Igor Stravinsky

1. “To listen is an effort, and just to hear is no merit. A duck hears also.”

2. “I haven’t understood a bar of music in my life, but I have felt it.”

3. “Lesser artists borrow, great artists steal.”

4. “My music is best understood by children and animals.”

5. “The trouble with music appreciation in general is that people are taught to have too much respect for music; they should be taught to love it instead.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Igor Stravinsky’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.

Children

Igor Stravinsky had four children with his first wife, Catherine Nossenko: Fyodor (Theodore), Ludmila, Soulima, and Maria Milena. Later, with his second wife, Vera de Bosset, he did not have any additional children.