Igor Stravinsky Analysis

In a piece written by Igor Stravinsky, a renowned composer, he comments on the fraud of orchestral conductors. This “conductor fraud” is juxtaposed to that of political treachery. By intertwining music and politics, Stravinsky asserts negatively charged words and sarcasm to refute his disapproval for both. These feelings are also manifest in his use of comparisons towards the facade of these conductors.
Stravinsky begins his piece by using negative syntax on his targets of conducting and politics to convey the folly of both. He states, “conducting, like politics, rarely attracts original minds”, this signifies the conventional practices of conductors. Therefore, they simply have to make a grand show for “the society women (including critics) to whom his musical qualities are of secondary importance.” As a result, neither talent nor knowledge of music is needed to receive
One common use of this would be Stravinsky's use of the word “great”. With the use of quotation marks,this word gives it a sarcastic connotation. In a cynical tone, he compares “‘great’ conductors, like ‘great’ actors, are unable to play anything but themselves...they adapt the work to themselves,to their ’style’,their mannerisms .” Correspondingly,this suggests that conductors are fictitious in their actions . acting “the life of Napoleon in ‘his’ Eroica.
Stravinsky ends his piece by saying, “If you are unable to listen to the music, you corybantics, and if you are able, you had better not got to the concert.” He’s explaining that if you truly enjoy the music(or would like to), don’t attend a concert because the disappointment of overdramatic conductors would ruin the musical euphoria. In conclusion, by the use of sarcastic diction and numerous comparisons, Stravinsky is able to convey his lack of respect for conductors. This is the same feeling he has for modern politics which he also references to throughout the