Igor Stravinsky is one of the most well-known musical icons of the Neoclassical music. Stravinsky was the first who used motivic development. Motivic development is using musical figures which are repeated in variations throughout a composition. Stravinsky was also well-known for his unique use of rhythm. An example of Stravinsky’s distinct use of rhythm is in his composition “The Rite of Spring”, “Le Sacre du Printemps” in French. The premier of “The Rite of Spring” actually provoked a riot. Igor Stravinsky’s distinct uses of motivic development and rhythm were the inspiration for many other composers. One of these composers inspired by Igor Stravinsky was Aaron Copland.
Born on June 17, 1882 in Oranienbaum Russia (which has since been renamed Lomonosov), Igor Stravinsky is considered to be one of the 100 most influential people of the century by Time magazine. His parents expected him to become a lawyer, and yet Igor Stravinsky became one of the most influential Neoclassical music composers. Stravinsky was raised in Saint Petersburg and had a troubled childhood. Stravinsky felt unloved and never seemed to attach or connect to anyone. His father was a singer at the Mariinsky Theatre. This inspired Stravinsky to begin
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