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Russian Musical Identity
- Stravinsky's teacher, Rimsky-Korsakov, aimed to Europeanize Russian music through glamorous operas.
- Ironically, this attempt failed, highlighting the distinct nature of Russian music.
Mussorgsky's Raw Genius
- Mussorgsky, considered an untutored barbarian, composed music drawing from Russian folk songs.
- Rimsky-Korsakov re-orchestrated Mussorgsky's work to make it sound "correct," but arguably ruined it.
The Russian Composer's Dilemma
- Russian composers were torn between embracing their unique folk tradition and emulating European sophistication.
- This tension shaped Stravinsky's work as he integrated diverse traditions.
