Page "Igor Stravinsky" Paragraph 12

Over the next four years, Stravinsky and his family lived in Russia during the summer months and spent each winter in Switzerland, which became a second home to them.

During this period, Stravinsky composed three further works for the Ballets Russes — Petrushka, a ballet in four scenes ( 1911 ), the two-part ballet The Rite of Spring ( 1913 ) and his ' ballet with song ' in one act, Pulcinella ( 1920 ).

He briefly travelled to Russia in July 1914 to collect research materials for his dance cantata Les noces before returning to Switzerland, just before the national borders closed following the outbreak of World War I.

He was not to return to his homeland for almost half a century.