An Autobiography

Originally published in French in 1936 under the title Chroniques de ma vie, Igor Stravinsky’s autobiography was composed during a transitional period in the composer's life. Following the completion of his Perséphone, Stravinsky sought to articulate his aesthetic philosophy and clarify his stance on the musical trends of the early 20th century. Written with the assistance of Walter Nouvel, the text serves as a deliberate self-portrait intended to distance the composer from the romanticized perceptions of his earlier career, specifically the legendary status he achieved with the Ballets Russes.

The book is notable for its formal, detached prose style, which reflects the neoclassicism that defined much of Stravinsky’s middle period. Rather than providing a traditional, emotive life story, the work emphasizes his rigorous approach to musical construction and his rejection of the expressive emotionalism common in contemporary critique. It was received as a manifesto of sorts, offering scholars and enthusiasts a precise, if guarded, glimpse into the intellectual framework behind masterpieces such as The Rite of Spring and Symphony of Psalms.