Download Senior Music Appreciation Mr. Swonger, instructor

Senior Music Appreciation
Mr. Swonger, instructor
The Life of Igor Stravinsky
Early Life
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Born in 1882 in Oraniembaum, Russia
Originally studied to be a lawyer, but later
changed to composition.
Early Life
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At the age of 20 he began studying with
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakav, a prominent
Russian composer.
Compositions
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At the age of 20, Stravinsky gained the attention
of Sergei Diaghilev, whom commissioned him to
write the ballet L’Oiseau de feu (The Firebird).
In 1910 he left for Paris, leaving Russia for the
first time.
While here he wrote two new ballets, Petrushka
and Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring)
Compositions
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The Rite of Spring is probably Stravinsky’s
most popular compositions.
It is known for its strong dissonance
throughout the entire work.
At it’s debut a riot ensued in which police
were necessary to control the crowd.
Compositions
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There was almost no form of music that
Stravinsky did not write at some point in
his life.
He wrote everything from concertos to
symphonies and oratorios.
He is most famous for his ballet works,
however.
Compositions
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Stravinsky used nearly every style of
musical notation from the 20th century.
Most notably he used much tonal,
polytonal, and 12-tone serialism.
Later Life
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Jan 23, 1906
Stravinsky married
Katerina Nossenko.
They were married for
33 years.
He would later marry
Vera de Bosset, whom
he had an affair with.
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In 1939 he moved to
the United States,
where he composed
many works.
He died in 1971 in the
United States.
He continued to
compose music until
his death
Impact
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The Rite of Spring saw a change in the
use of motive material. Notes would be
added or subtracted without any regard to
time signature.
Impact
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Used ostinato patterns that were not for
accompaniment.
He would put several ostinatos against
each other to create whole passages. This
was not done until he used it in The Rite
of Spring.
Impact
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Stravinsky was known for his use of
innovative combinations of instruments in
his works.
He experimented extensively with the
extreme registers of instruments. The Rite
of Spring utilized the extreme high register
of the bassoon in the opening statement.
Popularity
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Considered to be one of the most
influential composers of the 20th century.
Time magazine considered him one of the
most influential people of the century.
References
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Wikipedia, Igor Stravinsky
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Stravins
ky
Time Magazine, Igor Stravinsky
http://www.time.com/time/time100/artists
/profile/stravinsky.html