As perhaps the most influential composer of the 20th century, Igor Stravinsky lived much of his long life on the public stage. But behind that public face was a very private man. Written by the composer’s eldest son Theodore, along with Theodore’s wife Denise, these intimate memoirs take us to the very heart of the Stravinsky family home in the years up to the Second World War. In the first part of the book, Theodore Stravinsky takes up the story recalling tales of family joys and anguish, the excitements and strains of living with a genius and the tragedies brought on by the war. It also presents a detailed portrait of Catherine Stravinsky, the devoted wife and mother.