Igor Stravinsky was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor born on June 17, 1882. He is considered one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. Igor's composing career was noted for being creative and diverse. Igor's life at school was lonely and he once said that he felt that no one had any attraction for him. Igor began piano lessons as a young boy, began studying music and began trying to compose. Even though he loved music and his parents knew they expected Igor to become law. He attended school at St. Petersburg University, but took about 50 classes in the 4 years he spent there. The following summer he stayed with a composer and his family, where Rimsky-Korsakov, one of the most famous composers of those times, suggested that Igor not study law and instead take private lessons. Igor's father died that same year when Igor had already begun to devote more time to music than law. The university was closed for 2 months due to Bloody Sunday. At that time Igor could not take the final exam and got a half diploma, after which he shifted his attention completely to music. Igor continued to take private lessons from Rimsky-Korsakov until Rimsky's death in 1908. In 1905 he became engaged to his cousin whom he had known since childhood. Although the church was not happy about marrying first cousins, they married in 1906. They had two children born in 1907 and 1908. Igor staged two orchestral operas which were heard by a boy who planned to present Russian ballets and operas in Paris. he then asked Igor to perform some orchestras and a full-length ballet. After the successful premiere of The Firebirds Igor became one of the most popular composers, and in 1910 he and his wife had the...... of paper ......insky found recordings an easy and useful for maintaining his thoughts on the interpretation of his music. As a conductor he recorded primarily for Columbia Records, beginning in 1928 with a performance of the original suite from The Firebird and concluding in 1967 with the 1945 suite from the same ballet. During his lifetime, Stravinsky appeared in several television broadcasts, including the 1962 world premiere of The Flood on CBS television. Although he made an appearance, the actual performance was directed by Robert Craft. Numerous films and videos of the composer have been preserved. Igor also published many books in his career, sometimes with the uncredited help of some friends. In 1969, Igor moved to Essex House in New York where he lived until his death in 1971 at the age of 88 from heart failure. He was buried in St. Michael near Diaghilev's grave.