Igor Strawinsky & Gottfried von Einem Autogramme

Profession:
(1882-1971) Russian composer, pianist and conductor, later of French (from 1934) and American (from 1945) citizenship. He is widely considered one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century and a pivotal figure in modernist music & Austrian composer (1918-1996, von Einem).

Year of Birth: 1882

Igor Stravinsky was a Russian-born composer and conductor who is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. He was born on June 17, 1882, in Oranienbaum, Russia, and began studying music at a young age. His father was a bass singer at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, and his mother was a skilled pianist.

Stravinsky's early compositions were heavily influenced by Russian folk music and the works of composers such as Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky. However, he soon began to develop his own unique style, incorporating elements of neoclassicism and serialism into his music.

One of Stravinsky's most famous works is "The Rite of Spring," a ballet that caused a scandal when it premiered in Paris in 1913 due to its avant-garde music and choreography. Despite the controversy, the piece is now considered a masterpiece of 20th-century music.

Throughout his career, Stravinsky continued to innovate and push the boundaries of musical expression. He collaborated with artists such as Pablo Picasso and Sergei Diaghilev, and his compositions spanned a wide range of genres, including ballets, operas, symphonies, and chamber music.

In addition to his work as a composer, Stravinsky was also a skilled conductor, leading performances of his own works as well as those of other composers. He traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, conducting concerts and premieres of his music.

Stravinsky's impact on the world of music cannot be overstated. His innovative approach to composition and his willingness to experiment with new sounds and styles helped to shape the course of 20th-century music, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire musicians and audiences to this day.