WKCR is pleased to announce a special broadcast in honor of the great composer Igor Stravinsky, broadcast on FM and HD radio for 24 hours on June 18, 2024. The special birthday broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Tuesday programming.

While the great composer was in fact born on June 17th in 1882, June 5th in the Julian calendar used in his home country of Russia at the time of his birth, Stravinsky, in his later years, preferred to celebrate his birthday on June 18th. WKCR will do the same! Stravinsky was one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Born in Oranienbaum, Russia, he initially studied law but quickly turned his focus to music, studying under the renowned composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Stravinsky's early works, such as "The Firebird," "Petrouchka," and "The Rite of Spring," established him as a leading figure in the avant-garde movement, challenging traditional harmonic and rhythmic conventions. His collaboration with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes brought him international fame and recognition. Constantly experimenting with various styles and techniques, incorporating elements of neoclassicism and serialism into his compositions. His output encompassed a wide range of genres, including ballets, operas, symphonies, and chamber music.

Stravinsky's legacy endures through his groundbreaking compositions, which remain vital and influential in the contemporary classical music landscape. He remains one of the most celebrated and revered composers of the modern era.

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