When we think classical music history, Los Angeles doesn't exactly come to mind. But one of the greatest composers of the 20th Century resided in Hollywood for almost 30 years (1940 – 1969) and he wasn’t a film composer (though he unsuccessfully attempted to be one).
Igor Fyodorovitch Stravinsky (1882-1971), credited for revolutionizing modern music, is most famously known for The Rite of Spring, a score he wrote for the Ballets Russes (if you saw Disney's Fantasia, you’ve heard some of it). In 1913, when it premiered in France, a riot ensued with reports of hissing, spitting, brawling, and chair throwing. A year later, the piece was played in a formal concert setting and since then it has been considered a masterpiece.
That said, we shouldn't expect any riots at the Walt Disney Concert Hall later this week when the LA Phil performs it four times starting Thursday night. Also, XTET will perform Stravinky's The Owl and the Pussycat at LACMA tonight where it had its world premiere in 1966.
Here at LAist, we recommend checking Stravinsky out, mainly because his music is wicked cool, and also because it was one of our Editor's music picks of 2005. If you don't plan on listening, just remember to look down at his Walk of Fame star the next time you pass by 6340 Hollywood Boulevard (Just in case you were wondering, that’s Tom Yum Thai).
Drawings of Stravinsky by his friend, Pablo Picasso.
