Igor Stravinsky

Question 1

dates

Answer 1

1882-1971

Question 2

where was he born

Answer 2

June 17 in Oranienbaum, near Saint Petersburg, Russia

Question 3

family occupations and early music education

Answer 3

father was a highly respected opera singer, mother was a competent singer and fluent pianist, well to do family, had lessons in piano and harmony but parents discouraged career in music

Question 4

initial career aspiration

Answer 4

entered law school at the University of Saint Petersburg. met son of Rimsky Korsakov in law school, who’s father mentored Stravinsky. devoted himself to music and did not graduate law school

Question 5

who did he marry?

Answer 5

Katerina Nossenko, his childhood friend and cousin

Question 6

how was he noticed by Sergei Diaghilev, director of Ballets Russes in Paris?

Answer 6

His early orchestral piece, fireworks, impressed him. His early ballets commissioned by Diaghilev launched hhis career, The firebird, and Petrushka

Question 7

Why was the crowd outraged by The Rite of Spring?

Answer 7

premiered in Paris, primitive sounding music and unconventional choreography shocked the audience, a riot erupted.

Question 8

Which leading artistic luminaries did he collaborate with?

Answer 8

Diaghilev and Pablo Picasso

Question 9

Who was his second wife?

Answer 9

Vera de Bosset

Question 10

Story with America

Answer 10

visited the us on several occasions in late 1930’s, conducted, performed and completed commissions. lectured at many univesities such as Harvard and u of California. eventually settled in Los Angeles and became an American citizen

Question 11

death

Answer 11

died April 6, 1971 in New York City. Buried on the island of San Michele, Venice, Italy, a few yards from the grave of Sergei Diaghilev

Question 12

four principal periods of career: early years (1882-1914)

Answer 12

• russian nationalism expressed through use of folk song and dance and choice of subject matter
• influenced by Rimsky-Korsakov
• primitive style
• dissonant harmony, polytonality, ostinato
• the firebird, the rite of spring

Question 13

four principle periods of career: the transitional years (1914-1920)

Answer 13

• created more intimate works with reduced forces in response to the devastation wrought by world war 1
• seeds of Neo-classical style are sown

Question 14

four principle periods of career: the middle years (1920-1954)

Answer 14

• neo-classical style adopted with emphasis on formal design, absolute music
• emotional restraint, balance, discipline, detachment

Question 15

four principle periods of career: the final years (1954-1971)

Answer 15

• embraced Arnold Schoenberg’s twelve-tone method
• space textures inspired by Anton Webern
• Explored miniatures

Question 16

genres

Answer 16

orchestral, ballets, choral, dramatic, operas, opera-oratorio, vocal