Igor Stravinsky was born on June 17, 1882, in Oranienbaum, Russia. In 1909, he started working for the Ballets Russes’ founder, Sergei Diaghilev. While in Switzerland, Stravinsky composed Fox and Wedding. He moved to France in 1920 and to the United States in 1939, where he completed his most important symphonic work, t. He died on April 6, 1971, in Manhattan, with more than 100 works to his name.
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky was born in the resort town of Oranienbaum, Russia, on June 17, 1882. He was raised in St. Petersburg by his father, a bass singer named Fyodor, and his mother Anna, a talented pianist.
Not wanting Stravinsky to follow in their footsteps, they persuaded him to study law after he graduated secondary school. Once enrolled in university, Stravinsky was invited to apprentice under Vladimir Rimsky-Korsakov, whose father was a celebrated composer. When Stravinsky’s own father died in 1902, he decided to pursue a career as a composer.
Stravinsky married Catherine Nossenko in 1906. Three years later, the founder of the Ballets Russes, Sergei Diaghilev, invited Stravinsky to orchestrate a couple of Chopin works for the ballet Les Sylphides. The job was a catalyst for Stravinsky’s commission of the ballet Firebird. A collaboration with choreographer Michel Fokine, the ballet turned Stravinsky into a household name. His fame was reinforced with a 1911 production of Petrouchka, and the Paris premiere of Rite of Spring in 1913. Although he frequently traveled to Paris for work, Russia was still his home at the time.
When WWI started, Stravinsky was forced to leave Russia for Switzerland. While in Switzerland, Stravinsky dealt with his homesickness, by using Russian folklore as the inspiration for his work. Some of Stravinsky’s works from this time also exhibited a jazz influence. Two of his best known works from his Swiss period are Fox, composed between 1915 and 1916, and Wedding, which he started in 1914 but didn’t finish until he had moved to France.
Stravinsky lived in France from 1920 to 1939. During that time, his most notable works included a comic opera, Mavra (1942), an opera-oratorio Oedipus Rex (1927) and the “white” ballet Apollo (1928). During the 1930s he composed The Symphony of Psalms, Persephone, A Game of Cards, The Violin Concerto, Duo Concertante for Violin and Piano, Concerto for Two Pianos and Concerto for Chamber Orchestra.
Stravinsky’s first wife, Catherine, died in 1939. That same year, he moved to the United States, remarrying to painter Vera de Bossett the following year. Stravinsky also finished his most important symphonic work, t, in 1940.
Two years after his arrival in the United States, Stravinsky was arrested during a performance in Boston for rearranging the national anthem. Despite the setback, Stravinsky went on to have a prolific and successful career in the States, which expanded to include Hollywood movie soundtracks.
After a period of decline in his health, Stravinsky died at his Manhattan apartment, on April 6, 1971. Over the course of his career, he wrote more than 100 compositions, including ballets, symphonies, operas, concertos and sonatas. (by biography.com)
This is an introduction to the music of Igor Stranvinsky as a part of 1991 box-set with 12 CD´s.
And it´s a real good induction, all works was conducted by Igor Stranvinsky himself and were recorded durch the 60´s.
Tracklist:
Columbia Symphony Orchestra:
01. Greeting Prelude 0.53
02. The Firebird, Ballet Suite: Infernal Dance 4.12
03. Pulcinella Suite, Excerpts 7.06
CBC Symphony Orchestra:
04. Symphony Of Psalms: Part I 3.21
05. Orchestral Suite No. 1: II. Napolitana – IV. Balalaika 2.05
Columbia Symphony Orchestra:
06. Fireworks 3.39
07. The Rite Of Spring, Excerpts 2.07
Columbia Jazz Ensemble (feat. Benny Goodman):
08. Ebony Concerto, Excerpts 2.07
Columbia Symphony Orchestra:
09. Talim-Bom 1.01
10. Symphony In Three Movements, Excerpts 2.40
CBC Symphony Orchestra:
11. Eight Instrumental Miniatures, Excerpts 2.11
Columbia Symphony Orchestra:
12. Petrushka: First Scene, Excerpts 2.55
13. Concerto In D, “Basle Concerto”, Excerpts 2.41
CBC Symphony Orchestra:
14. 4 Etudes For Orchestra: IV. Madrid 2.27
Columbia Jazz Ensemble
15. Preludium For Jazz Band 1.26
Columbia Symphony Orchestra:
16. The Fairy’s Kiss: Coda 2.12
CBC Symphony Orchestra:
17. Circus Polka 3.28
Columbia Chamber Ensemble:
18. Pastorale 2.50
CBC Symphony Orchestra:
19. Four Norwegian Moods: I. Intrada 2.26
Columbia Chamber Ensemble:
20. The Soldier’s Tale: Royal March 2.37
Cleveland Orchestra:
21. Card Game, Excerpts 1.08
The American Concert Choir + Columbia Percussion Ensemble:
22. The Wedding, Excerpts 2.12
Columbia Symphony Orchestra:
23. Apollo: Variation De Polymnie 1.15
Los Angeles Festival Symphony Orchestra:
24. Agon: Pas De Quatre 1.47
CBC Symphony Orchestra:
25. Symphony In C, Excerpts 4.10
Columbia Symphony Orchestra:
26. The Firebird, Finale 2.46
Music composed by Igor Stranvinsky
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