- Igor Stravinsky, interestingly, studied law and philosophy at the university level. He consequently graduated with a formal degree in 1905 before pursuing art. He simply wanted to please his worried parents.
- His parents initially wanted him to secure a stable legal career. The young Igor Stravinsky, nevertheless, felt a powerful draw toward beautiful musical composition. He therefore spent his free time secretly writing short pieces.
- He completely bypassed traditional music conservatory training during his youth. He instead studied privately under the famous Russian composer Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov. This brilliant mentor furthermore encouraged his unique artistic vision.
- Igor Stravinsky officially married his first cousin Catherine Nossenko in 1906. They subsequently raised four lovely children together over many happy decades. The dedicated family eventually moved to France for safety.
- The dazzling Paris premiere of his Firebird ballet brought him sudden fame. He consequently became a massive international celebrity almost overnight in 1910. Theatrical producers constantly begged him for more new music.
- His controversial ballet The Rite of Spring shocked aristocratic Parisian audiences. The aggressive dissonant music actually caused a massive riot inside the theatre. Angry people furthermore physically fought each other in the crowded aisles.
- The famous composer safely spent the First World War living in Switzerland. He therefore wrote several smaller theatrical pieces during this quiet exile. These minimal works perfectly suited tiny traveling performance stages.
- The violent Russian Revolution unfortunately stripped away all his inherited family property. Igor Stravinsky thus began performing as a traveling concert pianist for money. He urgently needed vital funds to feed his growing family.
- He radically changed his musical style during the roaring twenties. He therefore embraced a restrained neoclassical sound to surprise his loyal critics. He additionally used ironic references to older historical music.
- The legendary musician permanently moved to sunny Hollywood just before World War Two. He subsequently lived near many famous actors and wealthy movie directors. The warm climate greatly improved his fragile physical health.
- Igor Stravinsky famously believed music could never express any specific human emotions. He instead viewed musical composition as a purely objective mathematical puzzle. He thus completely rejected deep romantic feelings in his art.
- He frequently compared the complex musical creative process to eating a meal. He firmly stated that hard work ultimately brings necessary artistic inspiration. A dedicated artist must therefore practice diligently every single day.
- The aging composer radically changed his writing method in his seventies. He subsequently adopted the complex twelve-tone serial technique pioneered by Anton Webern. This late stylistic shift consequently shocked his dedicated classical fans.
- He maintained a legendary artistic partnership with famous choreographer George Balanchine. They consequently created several brilliant modern dance ballets over many productive years. Their combined creative genius ultimately transformed twentieth-century theatrical performances.
- Igor Stravinsky eventually earned a prestigious star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He additionally received the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal. His profound legacy still heavily influences modern classical musicians today.
Sources & References:
Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Igor-Stravinsky
Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Rite-of-Spring
Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/quotes/Igor-Stravinsky
