Igor Stravinsky 1882-1971

One of the greatest composers of the 20th century, Stravinsky was catapulted into the musical limelight with the composition of three ballets for the Ballet Russes in Paris. Firebird, Petrushka, and The Rite of Spring were reminiscent of the baroque and classical periods and had a strong predilection for clarity and balance. The Rite of Spring caused a celebrated scandal at its first performance and remains one of the best-known and most influential pieces of 20th century music.

Stravinsky's unique style was characterized by the use of repetitive fold-like melodic motives, mixed meters, polyrhythms, and ostinatos. He composed a number of neoclassical works and several religiously-motivated pieces like the Symphony of Psalms.

The influence of his music has been widespread, ranging from Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitri Shostakovich to Darius Milhaud, Aaron Copland and many others.