Biographical Note
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971), was one of the most influential composers of the twentieth century. He was born in Oranienbaum, Russia, and grew up in St. Petersburg. Stravinsky studied music theory and composition with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov beginning in 1902 until Rimsky-Korsakov’s death in 1908. It was Feu d’artifice (Fireworks), which premiered in 1908, that got the attention of Serge Diaghilev of the Ballets Russes. Some of Stravinsky’s commissions for the Ballets Russes, including Zhar-ptit︠s︡a (Firebird), Pulcinella, Petrushka, and Vesna svi︠a︡shchennai︠a︡ (Rite of Spring), remain his most popular works to this day.
The outbreak of World War I prevented Stravinsky’s return to Russia. In spite of output that included Histoire du Soldat, Oedipus Rex, Apollon-Musagète, and Symphonie de Psaumes, Stravinsky struggled financially during this time. He benefitted from patronage from Leopold Stokowski, Werner Reinhart, Coco Chanel, and the Pleyel Piano Company while securing more conducting engagements. Stravinsky and his family became French citizens in 1934. After the deaths of his daughter, Ludmila, in November 1938, first wife Yakaterian “Katya” in March 1939, and mother, Anna, in June 1939, he moved to the United States in September of 1939.
In 1940 Stravinsky married Vera Sudeykina, with whom he had been in a relationship since 1921. They moved to Hollywood in 1941 and became American citizens in 1945. In 1948 Stravinsky met Robert Craft, who founded the Chamber Arts Society in New York City. Though the two had been corresponding since 1947, after this meeting they became inseparable work partners. Craft moved into Stravinsky’s home in 1949. In the 1950s Stravinsky made a significant shift in his compositional style from Neoclassicism to serialism. Works of this period include In Memoriam Dylan Thomas, The Flood, and Abraham and Isaac. He died in New York on April 6, 1971.
Robert Craft was born in New York in 1923. He studied at Juilliard before serving in World War II, returning to graduate in 1946. After moving into Stravinsky’s home, Craft always traveled with him serving as a conductor, assistant, and collaborator until the composer’s death. He made a name for himself conducting major orchestras throughout the world, premiering Stravinsky’s works in addition to others by prominent composers such as Paul Hindemith, Edgard Varèse, and Alban Berg. Craft published several books of transcriptions of their discussions beginning in 1959 with Conversations with Igor Stravinsky. He died in 2015.