2. Igor Stravinsky 1882-1971
Russian 20th century nationalist, composer, pianist, &
conductor
Russian, French, and American citizen
Revolutionized rhythmic structure
Ballet Russes, concerto grosso, fugue, symphony
Three stylistic periods:
Russian period: 1908-1919
Neoclassical period: 1920-1954
Serial period: 1954-1968
3. Stravinsky’s Ballet Russe
Legacy
Series of compositions commissioned by Sergei
Diaghilev, founder of Ballets Russes
Premiered in Paris
Progressively more innovative harmonic/rhythmic
structures
Stravinsky : Rhythm , Debussy : Melody
Stravinsky also arranged several shorter suites of
his ballets for concert performances.
4. Folk Songs in Ballet Russe
Stravinsky incorporates folk songs in a variety of ways
into his most famous Ballets Russes:
The Firebird
Petrushka
The Rite of Spring.
The Firebird displays the most direct borrowing of folk
song
For example, the “Round Dance of the Princesses” in
The Firebird borrows the melody of an original
Russian folk song.
Stravinsky also borrows the melody of another
Russian folk song for the theme of the Finale of The
5.
6.
7. Folk Songs in Ballet Russe
Stravinsky was able to perfect a unique art of
borrowing familiar folk melodies and blending
them with contemporary compositional
approaches to produce his most famous
Ballets Russes, The Firebird, Petrushka, and
The Rite of Spring.
