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Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 52 votes)
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52 reviews
July 15,2025
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I came across Stravinsky's remarks on melody, improvisation, musical snobbery, and the State's impact on Russian music, which I found to be extremely useful. Additionally, I took great pleasure in his writing style. Every now and then, I would pick up this book and randomly reread certain passages. It always manages to make me reevaluate some aspect of performance or an attitude that I have long taken for granted. Just as another reviewer had mentioned, I found myself underlining certain parts for future consideration. Strangely enough, I usually get annoyed when I see underlining in books. But in this case, I guess it means I'll be holding onto this one. I'm really looking forward to reading "the Chronicles of My Life."

July 15,2025
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It was an amazing trip when I was reading one of my favorite composers talking about music.

His words were like a magical key that opened the door to a whole new world of musical understanding.

As I delved deeper into his thoughts and ideas, I could feel my passion for music growing stronger with each passing sentence.

It was truly a cool experience to be able to peek into the mind of a genius and gain insights into the creative process that goes into making beautiful music.

I found myself completely immersed in the reading, forgetting about everything else around me.

By the end of it, I felt inspired and rejuvenated, ready to explore more of the wonderful world of music on my own.

This trip of reading about my favorite composer will surely be a memorable one that I will cherish for a long time.
July 15,2025
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I didn't gain any new knowledge about music. Instead, I solely learned about all the things that Stravinsky detests: Wagner, snobs, "grimacers", Soviet music, and so on. The six lessons seemed more like six exasperating diatribes. It was truly a disappointment as I had expected to explore the wonderful world of music and discover new aspects and techniques. However, it turned out to be a one-sided rant about Stravinsky's pet peeves. I couldn't help but feel that I was missing out on the real essence of music. Maybe in the future, I'll have the opportunity to take a different music course that focuses on the positive and diverse aspects of this beautiful art form.

July 15,2025
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There are composers such as Arnold Schoenberg and Pierre Boulez who not only possess remarkable musical talent but are also excellent communicators and perceptive students of music history and theory. On the other hand, there are composers like Igor Stravinsky, whose genius of expression is confined solely to non-discursive domains.


This series of lecture transcripts presents the image of an animated yet disorganized speaker who speaks extemporaneously on rather vague topic areas without prior preparation. His fundamental unit of thought appears to be approximately the length of a sentence, and Stravinsky never gives the impression of developing coherent ideas. Occasionally, his observations hold anecdotal value, and there are hidden gems within, but in this slim book, there is a significant amount of chaff and relatively little wheat.


The most valuable thing I gained from reading it is a slight sense of personal connection to one of the great musical minds of the twentieth century. However, he provides very little insight into the essence of his genius or his creative method.

July 15,2025
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A truly fascinating document!


I must admit that I knew next to nothing about Igor Stravinsky before coming across this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be an extremely interesting read.


Now, after delving into this book, I have developed a strong desire to know more about this remarkable composer. Stravinsky approaches music from a completely unique and unfamiliar perspective, one that I have never even considered before.


Despite this unfamiliarity, I am truly happy to have had the opportunity to learn about his musical ideas and innovations. It has opened up a whole new world of music for me to explore and discover.


I look forward to further immersing myself in the works and life of Igor Stravinsky and uncovering the many mysteries and wonders that his music has to offer.

July 15,2025
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July 15,2025
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Transcribed Harvard lectures offer a fascinating exploration.

The first lecture begins at a slow pace, gradually drawing the listener in.

The fifth lecture likely delves into more detail about the Russian symphonic scene, which is of great interest to many.

The second, third, and fourth lectures are truly worth the investment. They not only provide the reader with much to contemplate but also offer a remarkable perspective into Stravinsky's attitudes and presuppositions.

Personally, I found the sixth lecture to be brilliant. It is filled with numerous ideas that require careful consideration.

These lectures, as a whole, offer a rich and diverse collection of knowledge and insights, making them a valuable resource for anyone interested in music and its history.
July 15,2025
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Stravinsky's works always create sharp tones and sentences in my mind that I can't express.

After reading the book "Stravinsky Hits", I can say that all my questions about Stravinsky and his works have been answered.

Actually, if we could read a little from the pens of all composers and the work of solving all harmonizations didn't fall on us :)

The book consists of 6 lectures that Stravinsky gave at Harvard.
My favorite sections were those related to "The Typology of Music", "The Phenomenon of Music", and "With the Performance of Music".
I think that between the lines, I really liked his philosophical inquiries, his ingrained thought structure, his explanations of what he read, what he heard, all the environmental relationships, and his internal process.

Before starting the explanations at the beginning of the book, Stravinsky explains in which periods and in what political atmospheres he created his works.

\\n  Stravinsky has a very sharp line.\\n You can easily draw this from his language. I will also add here the parts of the book that appealed to me, that I underlined, and that I either participated in or still think about.

\\n  "In art history, it is impossible to encounter a phenomenon that can be described as revolutionary; Art, by its very nature, is creative."

"Revolution is temporary chaos. There is no chaos in art."

"The chirping of a bird is not art; putting it into the modularization that will shape it is art."

"In order to be influenced by someone's music, one must have a psychological equipment and an intellectual accumulation."

"If you attach some importance to the works I have created, which are the fruits of my conscience and my belief, please also value the speculative concepts that gave birth to them and developed with them."

"Just as painting is a spatial art, music is a temporal art."
"Diversity is only valid as a means of reaching similarity."

"The completed work is released to the outside to be communicated to others and finally flows back to its source. Then the cycle is completed. Music thus presents itself as a form of the communion established with other people and with the Supreme Being."
\\n
July 15,2025
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A tough one to review. You definitely get a sense of the composer himself through his lectures. His personality and the way he thinks come across quite clearly. It gives you a very good idea of his mindset. However, he doesn't really succeed in translating that into a coherent argument. He opines throughout the piece, and his thoughts are indeed interesting. But he fails to go deep enough to truly justify them to the audience. It feels as if he is just skimming the surface. This might have worked better if it was an interview with someone who was willing to challenge his pronouncements. Then there could have been a more in-depth exploration of his ideas. As it stands, this feels like a one-sided debate, and I just wasn't always on his side. It is still worth reading, as there are some interesting points to consider. But it is missing that extra something that would have made it a truly great piece.

July 15,2025
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This book presents a significant challenge when it comes to reading. The vocabulary employed within its pages is quite demanding, making it a tough slog for many readers. Moreover, there is a high probability that some of the intended meaning has been lost during the translation process.



However, despite these difficulties, I am still extremely glad that I took the time to read this book. It offers unique insights and perspectives that are well worth the effort. I firmly believe that it is an important read and would highly recommend it to others.



Whether you are a language enthusiast looking to expand your vocabulary or simply someone interested in exploring different cultures and ideas, this book has something to offer. So, don't be deterred by the initial challenges. Dive in and discover the hidden gems within.



In conclusion, while this book may not be an easy read, it is definitely a rewarding one. I encourage you to give it a try and see for yourself.
July 15,2025
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When I initially entered architecture school, they provided us with a list of recommended readings for the summer prior to our first year. Among those, this particular book was my absolute favorite, and interestingly, it wasn't precisely about architecture.

It has been quite some time since I last read it from cover to cover. However, I frequently scan through it to look for some of the quotes that I underlined. In fact, it is one of the few books that I own and have actually taken the trouble to do that with!

This book holds a special place in my heart. It not only provided me with valuable insights and inspiration that were applicable beyond the realm of architecture but also became a source of comfort and motivation during my academic journey.

I believe that every aspiring architect should have a diverse range of readings, and this book definitely fits the bill. It broadens our perspectives and helps us think outside the box, which is essential in the field of architecture.

Even now, whenever I pick up this book and flip through its pages, I am reminded of the excitement and anticipation I felt when I first discovered it. It truly is a gem that I will cherish for a long time to come.
July 15,2025
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The man holds extremely strong opinions. He not only expresses his thoughts but does so in a poetical manner when it comes to music.

What's more, the way he speaks can be applied to more than just the specific subject of music. It has a broader applicability that extends beyond the immediate topic.

His words offer an interesting meditation on the process of art-making in general. It makes one think deeply about how art is created, the emotions and ideas that go into it, and the various factors that influence the artistic process.

It's as if his insights into music are a window into the larger world of art, allowing us to gain a better understanding of the creative journey that all artists embark upon.

Whether it's painting, writing, dancing, or any other form of art, there are commonalities and universal truths that can be gleaned from his thoughts.

His poetical and thought-provoking way of speaking about music serves as an inspiration and a starting point for further exploration and discussion about the nature of art-making.

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