Igor Stravinsky
About Igor Stravinsky
The first requirement for good art remains first and foremost good workmanship. On doit posséder l'objet [One must have a command of one’s professional material]. Only inaccuracy is suspect. (Igor Stravinsky)
Igor Stravinsky was born on 17 June 1882 in Oranienbaum (now Lomonossov) near St. Petersburg. He grew up in a musical family: his father, Fjodor Stravinsky, was one of the most outstanding opera singers in Tsarist Russia. Alongside a humanist education, Stravinsky received tuition in piano, harmony and composition and soon displayed significant talent for improvisation. He subsequently studied law until 1905, but continued his musical studies at the same time. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was his composition teacher from 1905 to 1908. With his composition Feu d’artifice (1908), Stravinsky made an impression on the Director of the Ballets Russes, Sergei Diaghilev, who engaged him to carry out orchestrations and later commissioned him to compose music for The Firebird in 1909. From 1910 to 1914, Stravinsky lived and composed alternately on his estate Ustilug (Volhynia in the Ukraine) and in Clarens (Switzerland). During this period, Le Sacre du Printemps (1913) was composed and unleashed a theatrical scandal at its first performance in Paris. It was principally the seemingly “barbaric” rhythms which were regarded as being shocking and revolutionary to an equal degree. With the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Stravinsky returned permanently to Switzerland where he remained up to the year 1920. He subsequently relocated to France where he maintained lively contact with the leading artists in Paris (Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Eric Satie, Pablo Picasso, André Gide and Jean Cocteau). He became a French citizen in 1934. As early as 1935/36, he published his memoirs ("Chroniques de ma vie“) and embarked on an active career as conductor and pianist. At the beginning of the Second World War, Stravinsky gave his much quoted series of lectures at the American Harvard University "Poétique musicale" (published in 1942) and thereby avoided the time of the French Occupation. He took up permanent residence in the USA in 1939 and acquired American citizenship six years later. He participated in the Donaueschingen Music Festival for the first time in 1957 where he conducted the concert performance of his ballet Agon. He developed an interest in serial music and its younger representatives Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Following his rehabilitation in the Post-Stalinist USSR, he was once again able to visit his native country. Igor Stravinsky died on 6 April 1971 in New York.
The Paris premiere of L’oiseau de feu on 25 June 1910 was a sensational success for the young and ambitious composer and Stravinsky advanced to become a composer of ballet music par excellence. He gained a worldwide reputation with works such as Pas de deux (1921), Jeu de cartes (1936), Scènes de Ballet (1938) and the subsequent concert suite arrangements of these compositions. Stravinsky’s music is characterised by its brief-structured melodies, often only consisting of a few notes, its typical asymmetrical rhythm and its close relationship with dance. The aesthetic impulse comprises a neo-classical sense of form and a decisive anti-romanticism in opposition to the “unending” melodies of Wagner. In contrast to the earlier ballets, the works composed up to 1920 in Switzerland display a completely different style. In the stage work L’histoire du soldat (1918), created in collaboration with the poet Charles Ferdinand Ramuz, Stravinsky reduces the musical mediums and forms to an aesthetic minimum, incorporating elements of jazz in certain passages. The works composed in America include Symphony in C (1940), Danses concertantes (1941-42), Scherzo à la Russe (1944) and Symphony in three Movements (1945). These orchestral works display Stravinsky at the pinnacle of his neo-classical creative phase. Historical models are transformed with the aid of fragmentation and alienation to produce highly innovative tonal concepts. Stravinsky also experimented with serial techniques in his works composed post-1950.
Stravinsky received numerous prizes: he was the first recipient of the Léonie-Sonning Music Prize in 1959 and was awarded the Wihuri-Sibelius Prize in 1963. The same year, his US-American exile homeland conferred him the honour of a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He received an honorary doctorate from the Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1967. In 1983, the “Strawinski Fountain” was inaugurated on the “Place Igor Strawinski” in close vicinity to the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The 16 sculptures of the fountain represent different works by the composer.
Worklist
Chronology
Pablo Picasso entwirft für das Ballett "Pulcinella" Kostüme und Bühnenbild.
Uraufführung der Oper "The Rake's Progress" in Venedig
Products
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No. 1 SpringComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: mezzo-soprano and pianoLanguage: English, FrenchProduct number: BH 5000280£8.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Set of partsBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: string quartetProduct number: BH 1400144£21.50In stock - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 1 working day -
Composer: Anton Stepanowitsch Arensky | Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet music with CDEdition: Edition with play-alongBrand: Music Minus One
Instrumentation: Piano (4 hands)Product number: MMO 3028£16.99Supplier out of stock, delivery time unknown -
Vol. 2 | Sonatinen Nr. 4-6Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicBrand: Edition Peters
Instrumentation: 2 guitarsProduct number: EP6590D£30.95Supplier out of stock, delivery time unknown -
CantataComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Hawkes Pocket Scores , HPS 733
Brand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: soloists (AT), mixed choir (SATB), speaker and orchestraLanguage: EnglishProduct number: BH 6500519£16.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
CantataComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: soloists (AT), mixed choir (SATB), speaker and orchestraLanguage: EnglishProduct number: BH 5500047£16.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
A Sacred BalladComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Hawkes Pocket Scores , HPS 762
Brand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: baritone and orchestraLanguage: English, HebrewProduct number: BH 6500485£16.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Ballet for Twelve DancersComposer: Igor StravinskyConductor: Hans RosbaudOrchestra/ensemble: Sinfonieorchester des Suedwestfunks Baden-BadenMedia Type: CDEdition: CD with 76-page bookletBrand: Wergo
Product number: WER 67712£14.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Ballet for twelve DancersComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: for 2 pianosBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: orchestraProduct number: BH 83678£47.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Ballet for twelve DancersComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Hawkes Pocket Scores , HPS 701
Brand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: orchestraProduct number: BH 6500486£25.50In stock - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 1 working day -
Composer: Igor StravinskyArranger: Samuel DushkinMedia Type: Sheet musicBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: violin and pianoProduct number: BH 83658£26.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
"The dove descending breaks the air"Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Choral scoreBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) a cappellaLanguage: EnglishProduct number: BH 5400325£7.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Ballet in 2 ScenesComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: PartiturBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: string orchestraProduct number: BH 6400311£46.99In stock - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 1 working day -
Ballet in 2 scenesComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: pianoProduct number: BH 100729£16.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
The Rite of Spring - ReconsideredComposer: Igor StravinskyEditor: Hermann Danuser | Heidy ZimmermannMedia Type: BookEdition: Collected essaysBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Language: EnglishProduct number: BH 12554£62.60Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Bogoroditse DievoComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Choral scoreBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) a cappellaLanguage: Church SlavonicProduct number: BH 83689£4.25Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
New version with Latin textComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Choral score, with piano accompaniment for rehearsal onlyBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) a cappellaLanguage: LatinProduct number: BH 5400326£3.25Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Kantate nach Moses I, 11, 1-9Composer: Igor StravinskyEdition: Study scoreSeries: Music Of Our Time
Babel
Brand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: narrator, men's choir (TTBB) and orchestraProduct number: ED 4412Product TypeAs low as £11.99 -
Kantate nach Moses I, 11, 1-9Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: E-score PDFEdition: Choral scoreSeries: Babel
Brand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: narrator, men's choir (TTBB) and orchestraLanguage: German, EnglishProduct number: ED 4342-01 Q8558£1.99available for download immediately -
Kantate nach Moses I, 11, 1-9Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicSeries: Edition Schott
Babel
Brand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: narrator, men's choir (TTBB) and orchestraLanguage: German, EnglishProduct number: ED 4342£16.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
from "The Fairy's Kiss"Composer: Igor StravinskyArranger: Jeanne GautierMedia Type: Sheet musicBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: violin and pianoProduct number: BH 1000296£15.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: The Masterworks Library
Brand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: orchestraProduct number: BH 6501392£41.99In stock - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 1 working day -
Composer: Igor StravinskyArranger: Samuel DushkinMedia Type: E-score PDFBrand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: violin and pianoProduct number: ED 20423 Q25668£2.99available for download immediately -
From Firebird SuiteComposer: Igor StravinskyArranger: Dick WilsonMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score and partsBrand: Theodore Presser
Instrumentation: symphonic wind bandProduct number: 115-40046£50.95Supplier out of stock, delivery time unknown -
Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: PartiturBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: orchestraProduct number: BH 6400697£13.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Hawkes Pocket Scores , HPS 666
Brand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: soloists (ST), female choir and ensemble (2 flutes, 2 oboes, cello)Language: EnglishProduct number: BH 6500488£16.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: soloists (ST), female choir and ensemble (2 flutes, 2 oboes, cello)Language: EnglishProduct number: BH 5500114£22.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Ad honorem Sancti Marci nominisComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Hawkes Pocket Scores , HPS 691
Brand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: soloists (TBar), mixed choir and orchestraLanguage: LatinProduct number: BH 6500489£15.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Ad honorem Sancti Marci nominisComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: soloists (TBar), mixed choir and orchestraLanguage: LatinProduct number: BH 5500044£13.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Hawkes Pocket Scores , HPS 610
Brand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: piano and orchestraProduct number: BH 6500490£28.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Composer: Igor StravinskyArranger: Soulima StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: for 2 pianosBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: piano and orchestraProduct number: BH 300129£21.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: for 2 pianosBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: piano and orchestraProduct number: BH 300066£53.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
from "Mavra"Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Hawkes Pocket Scores , HPS 998
Brand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: soprano and small orchestraLanguage: German, English, French, RussianProduct number: BH 6500491£10.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Russian Maiden's SongComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: violin and pianoProduct number: BH 1000297£10.99In stock - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 1 working day -
Symphonic poem in three partsComposer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: pianoProduct number: BH 100730£22.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
über das Weihnachtslied "Vom Himmel hoch da komm' ich her" (J.S.Bach)Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Hawkes Pocket Scores , HPS 695
Brand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: mixed choir and orchestraLanguage: GermanProduct number: BH 6500010£19.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
composed for a young elephantComposer: Igor StravinskyArranger: Olaf MuehlenhardtEdition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Brand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: saxophone quartet (SATBar)Product number: ED 21248Product TypeAs low as £16.99 -
composed for a young elephantComposer: Igor StravinskyArranger: Olaf MuehlenhardtEdition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Brand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: saxophone-ensembleProduct number: ED 20912Product TypeAs low as £36.99 -
composed for a young elephantComposer: Igor StravinskyArranger: Victor BabinSeries: Edition Schott
Brand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: 2 Pianos (4 hands)Product number: ED 4283Product TypeAs low as £12.99 -
composed for a young elephantComposer: Igor StravinskySeries: Edition Schott
Brand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: pianoProduct number: ED 4282Product TypeAs low as £11.99 -
composed for a young elephantComposer: Igor StravinskyEdition: Study scoreSeries: Music Of Our Time
Circus Polka
Brand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: OrchestraProduct number: ED 4274Product TypeAs low as £12.99 -
komponiert für einen jungen ElefantenComposer: Igor StravinskyArranger: Herbert BauseweinMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: PartiturBrand: Hohner Verlag
Product number: MH 15005£20.50Supplier out of stock, delivery time unknown -
(composed for a young elephant)Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Set of partsSeries: Schott Harmony Series
Brand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: wind bandProduct number: SHS 1020-50£178.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
composed for a young elephantComposer: Igor StravinskyArranger: Henning BrauelMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: PartiturSeries: Schott Harmony Series
Brand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: wind bandProduct number: SHS 1020£30.99Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
composed for a young ElephantComposer: Igor StravinskyArranger: Sol BabitzMedia Type: Sheet musicBrand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: violin and pianoProduct number: ED 8113£12.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
for two solo pianosComposer: Igor StravinskySeries: Edition Schott
Brand: Schott Music
Instrumentation: 2 pianos (4 hands)Product number: ED 2520Product TypeAs low as £23.99 -
Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Hawkes Pocket Scores , HPS 724
Brand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: piano and wind bandProduct number: BH 6500499£27.00Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: PartiturBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: piano and wind bandProduct number: BH 6400316£66.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
Composer: Igor StravinskyMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: for 2 pianosBrand: Boosey & Hawkes
Instrumentation: piano and wind bandProduct number: BH 300067£23.50Not in stock, but can be ordered - usually despatched (or ready for collection) within 7 days -
for violin and orchestraComposer: Igor StravinskyEditor: Manfred KarallusEdition: Study scoreBrand: Eulenburg
Instrumentation: violin and orchestraProduct number: ETP 1815Product TypeAs low as £10.50