June 17 is the birthday of Russian-American composer IGOR STRAVINSKY (1882-1971).
"My music is best understood by children and animals."
Stravinsky was a Russian‑born composer who later became a French citizen in 1934 and an American citizen in 1945. He is widely regarded as one of the central figures of 20th‑century music and a defining voice in modernism.
He was born in Saint Petersburg to a well‑known operatic bass and grew up with regular lessons in piano and music theory. Although he enrolled in law at the University of Saint Petersburg, his path shifted when he met Nikolai Rimsky‑Korsakov, under whom he studied until 1908.
Soon after, he encountered Sergei Diaghilev, the impresario who commissioned three ballets for the Ballets Russes in Paris. The Firebird (1910) introduced him to international audiences; Petrushka (1911) expanded his rhythmic and harmonic language; and The Rite of Spring (1913) caused an infamous uproar at its premiere, later becoming a landmark in how composers approached rhythm and musical structure.