Igor Stravinsky's father was a singer with an opera company. As a chidl, Igor attendid his fater's opera performances. He began piano lessons at 9. Surprisingly, and in spite of Igor's musical talent, his parents watned to become a lawer rather than a musician. Igor spent several semesters studying law at the University of St. Petersburg, in Russia. But he also continued his music studies, including composition lessons with a well-known Russian composer, Nicolay Rimsky-Korask. Stravinsky much preferred music to the practice of law but was not sure he could make a living as a musician. Nevertheless, upon graduation and marriage to Catherine Nosenko, he embarked upon a career in music. IN 1908, his first symphony was performed. He was 26. This work, as well as others, came to the attention of the dirctor of the Ballet Russe, a famous ballet company. The Ballet Russe commissioned Igor to write several works. A number of these ballet suites, including Firebird and Petrouchka, were performed with much success.

In 1913, the premier of one of Stravinsky's most famous orchestral works, The Rite of Spring, nearly caused a riot in the concert hall. The work was very different from what concert audiences were used to hearing. In fact, many in the audience did not even consider it music. In 1919 (age 37), Stravinsky moved to Paris, France, and continued to write ballets for the Ballet Russe. He evenually became a French citizen. He would not return to Russia for over 40 years. Beween 1925 and 1939 he traveled several times to the United States, conducting performances of his works. Due to the world war in Europe and the death of his wife, Sravinsky moved from France to Massachusetts in 1939 (age 57). He remarried in 1940, became a United States citizen in 1945, and moved to California where he lived for the rest of his life. To celebrate his new citizenship, he wrote an orchestral arrangement of The Star Spangled Banner.

After moving to Calfornia, Stravinsky began taking commissions from a variety of sources, including the Ringling Bros. Circus, a jazz band, and an opera company. He continued to compose ballets. In 1962 ( age 80), he returned to Russia for the first time since 1919, and was welcomed by Russian concert audiences. In the final years f his life, he wrote fewer large orchestral works and more shorter works for smaller groups of instrumens. Igor Stravinsky was meticulous, neat, and precise. These traits were paparent in his musical scores, which were extremely well-crafted and carefully written. No matter where he lived, Stravinsky's composing routine varied little. Every day had to be carefully planned. Mornings were spent in his tidy office writing music. Afternoons were devoted to office work and correspondence. Throughout his life, Stravnisky ignored the opinions, advice, and suggestions of others regarding his music, and di not seem to care whether o not critics or audiences liked his music.