Igor Stravinsky Quotes

A collection of quotes by Igor Stravinsky.

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) was one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He was born in Oranienbaum, Russia, and grew up in a musical family. Stravinsky began studying piano and composition at an early age, and received formal training at the St. Petersburg Conservatory.

Stravinsky gained international recognition with the debut of his ballet, "The Firebird," in 1910. This marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, for which he composed several groundbreaking works such as "Petrushka" and "The Rite of Spring." The latter particularly caused a scandal with its avant-garde rhythmic and harmonic innovations.

Throughout his career, Stravinsky constantly pushed the boundaries of traditional music, exploring different styles and forms. He moved to Switzerland during the Russian Revolution and later settled in France and the United States. Stravinskyâ€™s works during this time, including compositions like "Symphony of Psalms" and "Symphony in C", showcased his mastery of neoclassical techniques.

In his later years, Stravinsky continued to experiment and incorporate new ideas into his compositions. He explored serialism and tonal ambiguity, leaving a significant impact on the development of contemporary music.

Stravinsky's unique and distinctive musical language, characterized by rhythmic complexity, unconventional tonal structures, and brilliant orchestrations, secured his place as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. His vast body of work encompasses ballets, operas, symphonies, chamber music, and choral compositions, leaving a lasting legacy on the trajectory of musical composition.

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.