Igor Stravinsky
1882-1971
Background/Education
• Born in Russia but also lived in
Switzerland, France and after 1939, the
U.S.
• Taught by Nicolay Rimsky-Korsakov,
another famous composer
• Was inspired by the works of
impressionist composers like Debussy
Misc. Facts
• Was neglected as a child but was not
from a poor family.
• Stravinsky’s father was a singer, but
discouraged Igor from studying music.
He wanted him to be a lawyer.
• Worked closely with the famous ballet
company Ballets Russe and wrote his 3
most famous works for them
Body of Work
• The Firebird, Petrushka, and The
Rite of Spring were his famous
ballets
• Stravinsky wrote all types of music
including orchestral pieces, art
songs and chamber music as well
L’Oiseau de feu - (The
Firebird)
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Period: Modern/20th Century (1910)
Country: Russia
Genre: Orchestral
Form: Ballet - each scene is called
a “tableau”
Characters of the Firebird
• Prince Ivan – the hero who falls in love with one
of Kashchei’s daughters and captures the
Firebird
• The Firebird – a mystical Phoenix that assists
Prince Ivan in defeating Kashchei the Immortal
by putting his kingdom to sleep
• Kashchei the Immortal – an evil sorcerer with
several daughters who is defeated by Prince
Ivan and the Firebird
The Firebird - Berceuse
• Firebird ballet is based on a Russian
folk tale (Ivan and the Firebird vs.
Kashchei the Immortal)
• Berceuse – lullaby or soothing sound
The Firebird - Finale
• What is a finale?
• Finale – the end of a piece of music
• How does the music progress
through the finale?
• It gradually incorporates more
instruments and gets much louder