Igor Stravinsky was a composer in 20th century.

 

 

 

Igor Stravinsky was born in Russia in 1882. His father was an opera singer and as a child he studied piano and music theory. Stravinsky studied philosophy and law at university before he found his calling as a composer. Stravinsky became popular overnight for The Firebird(a ballet) which premiered in Paris. The next ballet that Stravinsky wrote would become one of the most famous riots in classical music history for The Rite of Spring. Half the audience stood up and cheered; the other half screamed until their faces turned purple. Police arrived to break up fights and hardly a note of the music could even be heard! Stravinsky said “My music is best understood by children and animals." Stravinsky's first wife and child died tragically from tuberculosis. After their deaths Stravinsky remarried and moved to Hollywood, California. He continued to compose many pieces throughout the rest of his life. Stravinsky died in 1971 in New York. Here are some more fun facts about Stravinsky: 

• He once wrote a piece called “Do Not Throw Paper Towels in the Toilet” and a polka for fifty elephants wearing ballet tutus.

• He relaxed by playing cards, going to movies and standing on his head (he said it cleared his brain).

• He would visit the zoo quite often, especially when going to a new city.

 

Here are a few examples of Stravinsky's compositions: