Igor Stravinsky

Igor Stravinsky

1882-19711882-1971

Background/EducationBackground/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

• 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. FactsMisc. 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

• 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 WorkBody 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

• 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)

L’Oiseau de feu - (The Firebird)

• Period: Modern/20th Century (1910)

• Country: Russia• Genre: Orchestral• Form: Ballet - each scene is

called a “tableau”

• Period: Modern/20th Century (1910)

• Country: Russia• Genre: Orchestral• Form: Ballet - each scene is

called a “tableau”

Characters of the Firebird

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

• 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 - BerceuseThe Firebird - Berceuse

• Firebird ballet is based on a Russian folk tale (Ivan and the Firebird vs. Kashchei the Immortal)

• Berceuse – lullaby or soothing sound

• Firebird ballet is based on a Russian folk tale (Ivan and the Firebird vs. Kashchei the Immortal)

• Berceuse – lullaby or soothing sound

The Firebird - FinaleThe 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

• 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