A Biography of Stravinsky - Personality. Creation. Views

Author: (Russian) Druskin, translated by Jiao Dongjian and others
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: "My music comes entirely from the bones." This is a self-critical review by one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, Stravinsky, on his own music. Indeed, this genius with a versatile style, known as the "Picasso of music," had a powerful rhythm in his music, a striking contrast between two poles reaching the peak, and a breakthrough in modernity, all of which had a strong impact on people. This book provides a summary of the music of this world-famous musical giant. When analyzing the composer's creative patterns, the author combines his personality, life, aesthetic views, cultural background, and other aspects to give a very appropriate summary: the fusion and interweaving of Russian sentiment and Western culture, a highly ordered rational structure, and a constant theme amidst change. All classical music enthusiasts and researchers should not miss this opportunity—to meet Stravinsky in this biography. Igor Feodorovich Stravinsky (1882–1971) was a famous Russian composer and conductor. Born in what is now the city of Romano-Slavsk in Russia, his father was once a bass opera singer at the Mariinsky Royal Theatre in St. Petersburg. Stravinsky was a prolific composer, having created nearly 100 works in his lifetime.
Mikhail Druskin (1905–1991), the author of Stravinsky: A Biography, was a renowned Soviet biographer, musicologist, educator, and Doctor of Arts. Throughout his life, he wrote numerous works on foreign music, Russian music, modern music, and Bach's musical compositions. After the first publication of Stravinsky: A Biography in 1974, it attracted great attention from the Soviet musical world. This book presents a detailed analysis of the three creative phases of the composer—Phase 1 (15 years): 1908–1923, generally known as the Russian Period; Phase 2 (30 years): 1923–1953, known as the Neoclassical Period; Phase 3 (years): 1953–1968, known as the Late or Serialism Period—in a clear and orderly manner, "montage-style," showcasing the important creative phases and artistic evolution of the composer's long artistic career. It vividly recreates the aesthetic and creative views of this 20th-century musical giant, thereby helping musical professionals and enthusiasts to understand and appreciate his works accurately, truly, and comprehensively. This book holds both aesthetic and musicological value.