I play violin in the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and I recently performed Stravinsky’s The Firebird. Igor Stravinsky was a Russian-born composer whose work shaped the course of 20th-century modern music, and he is especially renowned as a master of ballet music.
When I hear the word “modern” in music or art, I often think of something strange or unfamiliar, especially when compared to the traditional beauty we’re used to. But modern art invites us to see beauty differently. It doesn’t always follow fixed rules. Sometimes, beauty exists freely, shaped by perspective rather than tradition ✨.
So instead of listening with the mindset of “I want to feel something beautiful,” I found myself asking different questions: What kind of beauty was living inside this composer? What was Stravinsky seeing when he created this music? 🤔
The Firebird is based on an old Russian folktale. A magical bird offers a single golden feather 🪶. The piece marked Stravinsky’s brilliant debut in ballet music and brought him sudden recognition. It may look like a moment of luck or opportunity, but reading about his life reminded me that this “breakthrough” was the result of years of quiet effort and preparation when opportunity finally met readiness 🌱.
Stravinsky’s works were often misunderstood when they first appeared. They were called strange, noisy, even offensive. The Rite of Spring famously caused outrage and riots, and Stravinsky himself once fled the concert hall. And yet, he kept writing. After The Rite of Spring, the landscape of music shifted. What once felt shocking slowly became a symbol of bold experimentation and change. New ways of listening, and new ways of accepting difference, began to emerge.
Playing The Firebird while reading about Stravinsky’s life reminded me that, regardless of the field, innovation or starting something new is rarely welcomed at first. Sometimes it asks us to endure misunderstanding, to trust our work, and to continue even when applause doesn’t come right away. Just like modern music, unfamiliar voices and paths are often misunderstood at first — and our role as educators is to listen differently, create space, and trust the process 🍋.
Now, I want to see The Firebird ballet and watch Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky movie. Also, a small personal joy at the concert: I was seated next to a professional harp player during the performance, and it was truly wonderful to listen so closely!
#Stravinsky #TheFirebird #Orchestra #ClassicalMusic #CreativeProcess #UniversityOfPittsburgh
