Living a Musical Language through the Work of Stravinsky
Living a Musical Language through the Work of Stravinsky
Stravinsky
Stravinsky is considered to be one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century. He introduced two of the first major suggestions of contemporary music. He is thought of as somewhat revolutionary because of the clamorous reception of his new style.
Igor Fedorovich Stravinsky was born on June 17, 1882. His birthplace is Oranienbaum, Russia, which is now Lomonosov. His father was the leading bass singer at the Imperial Opera House in Saint Petersburg. Although he came from a very music-oriented family, Stravinsky was not encouraged to pursue a musical career. Instead he was pushed to study law. He attended the University of Saint Petersburg. During his studies at the university, he met Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Encarta). Korsakov was a famous Russian composer and a theoretician known for his book on orchestration, Principles of Orchestration (classical).
Korsakov pointed the way to Stravinsky’s early works, and his influence can be deciphered in early pieces such as Symphony No. 1 in E Flat. Soon afterwards the contribution of two French impressionists, Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, affected his work. This French influence produced pieces such as Fireworks and The Faun and the Shepherdess. Impressed by his orchestral talent, Sergey Diaghilev, a Russian impresario, commissioned Stravinsky to compose pieces for the Ballets Russes. In 1910, he produced The Firebird, his first ballet for Diaghilev and Petrushka in 1911. Both were very well received and acquired great success from the audience. The pieces were appreciated for their sensational force, their lavish orchestration, and their suggestion of Russian folk songs. (Encarta)
In 1913, Paris audiences experienced Stravinsky’s revolutionary Rite of Spring. The unorthodox choreography coupled with the irregular, drastic rhythms was not only unbearable for the dancers, but also displeased the audience. The Rite of Spring was performed again in the later years and was very well received. It is the piece he is most known for today.
The year after The Rite of Spring was composed, World War I began its destructive course. Stravinsky left Russia and took refuge in Switzerland. At this time, Stravinsky became interested with the production of classical pieces. He updated the pieces for an augmented harmonious language. Some of these are Pulcinella, a ballet, and Oedipus Rex, which were inspired by the Handelian oratorio. (Classical)
During and after the war, Switzerland underwent troublesome social economic times. This made it nearly impossible for...