His Life: “‘ 1882! V 1971, born and raised in Oranienbaum “‘ father was the leading bass at the Imperial Opera “‘ musical education was kept on amateur level due his parents! | wish for him to study law “‘ at 20, submitted compositions to Rimsky-Korsakov, attracted the attention of Diaghilev, the impresario of the Paris-based Russian Ballet, who commissioned him to write a score for The Firebird “‘ a year later, the ballet Petrushka, with dancers Vaclav Nijinsky and Tamara Karsavina in leading roles “‘ The Rite of Spring! V was a catastrophe on opening night, presented a year later at a symphony concert, received enthusiasm and was established as a masterpiece “‘ moved to Switzerland at the outbreak of war in 1914 with his family “‘ the difficulty of assembling large performances during the war motivated him to work more intimated in spirit and modest in dimension “‘ 1920, moved to France for the next 19 years, performing his music as pianist and conductor throughout Europe “‘ 1939, invited to deliver a lecture at Harvard “‘ W. W. II broke out and settled in California “‘ died in New York, April 1971, age 89 His Music: “‘s style evolved continuously throughout his life, from post-impressionism to the primitivism to his mature classicism style “‘ began with ballets, rhythm allied with body movement and expressive gesture “‘ disliked the chromaticism of the Romantic period, but no matter how daring the harmony, retains a sense of key “‘ had a subtle sense of sound, clear texture in orchestral music “‘ Neoclassical music! V Oedipus Rex, an opera-oratorio “‘ The Symphony of Psalms, chorus and orchestra! V regarded as his best “‘ The Rake! |s Progress, opera, librettist W. H. Auden and C. K allman “‘ melodious score uses the set forms of Mozart ean opera “‘ after 70, turned to serial procedures of the 12-tone style “‘ technique appeared in works from the 1950 s, most important is ballet Agon Petrushka: “‘ presents the ill-fated adventures of a puppet who came to life “‘s eating! V street fair during Carnival week in St.
Petersburg in the 1830 s “‘ his use of folk tunes makes the ballet a work of the Russian national school “‘ first tableau! V shows crowds milling about the booths “‘ a sudden drum roll summons the crowd to the puppet theater “‘ curtain rises, revealing three puppets! V Petrushka, Ballerina, Moor! V the showman touches the dolls with his flute, and they spring to life “‘ dance on their hooks at first, then step down and break into a Russian dance “‘ 2 nd! V the little clown! |s (Petrushka) unhappy love for Ballerina “‘ 3 rd tableau! V Moor is brutal and stupid, but Ballerina is charmed by his looks and uniform “‘ Petrushka mad with jealousy interrupts them and Moor threw him out “‘ Final Tableau! V Petrushka rushes out the curtain, pursued by Moor, who strikes him with his sword “‘ Petrushka falls and dies, the Showman drags the puppet to his room, Petrushka! |s ghost above him, stricken with fear drops the doll and steals away “‘ Music 1 st tableau! V 3 sections, 1 st and 3 rd are rondo form, 2 nd is a flute cadenza played by the Showman that rises the curtain of the theater and the Russian dance that begins the 3 rd section “‘ begins with folk music that surrounded Stravinsky! |s childhood “‘ a solo flute, supported by a 2 nd flute, presents a syncopated melody in high register “‘ rhythm based on new concepts of irregular meters and poly rhythms “‘ used variety of harmonic devices! V simple diatonic chords to accompany popular tunes, pentatonic, whole-tone, chromatic progressions and poly harmony Principal Works: “‘ Orchestral work! V Symphony in C, Concerto for Piano and Winds “‘ Ballets! V Firebird, Petrushka, The Rite of Spring, Agon “‘ Opera! V The Rake! |s Progress, opera-oratorio, Oedipus Rex “‘ Choral Music! V Symphony of Psalms “‘ Chamber music, piano music, songs.