Igor Stravinsky

Igor Fyodorovitch Stravinsky (June 17, 1882 April 6, 1971) was a Russian-French-American composer of modern classical music. He composed in the primitivist, neo-classical and serialist styles, but he is best known for two works from his earlier, Russian period: Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) and L'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird). For some, these daring and innovative ballets practically reinvented the genre. Stravinsky also wrote in a broad spectrum of ensemble combinations and classical forms. His oeuvre included everything from symphonies to piano miniatures.

9 Quotes

Film music should have the same relationship to the film drama that somebody's piano playing in my living room has to the book I am reading.

Igor Stravinsky

What force is more potent than love?

Igor Stravinsky

Is it not by love alone that we succeed in penetrating to the very essence of being?

Igor Stravinsky

I have learned throughout my life as a composer chiefly through my mistakes and pursuits of false assumptions, not by my exposure to founts of wisdom and knowledge.

Igor Stravinsky

The trouble with music appreciation in general is that people are taught to have too much respect for music; they should be taught to love it instead.

Igor Stravinsky

Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end.

Igor Stravinsky

A good composer does not imitate; he steals.

Igor Stravinsky

I am in the present. I cannot know what tomorrow will bring forth. I can know only what the truth is for me today. That is what I am called upon to serve, and I serve it in all lucidity.

Igor Stravinsky

Sins cannot be undone, only forgiven.

Igor Stravinsky