Why did Igor Stravinsky believe choreography should have its own form instead of simply copying the music?

Igor Stravinsky believed that choreography should realize its own form, independent of the musical structure, rather than merely duplicating the music's line and beat.1

He emphasized that while choreography should be measured to the musical unit, its construction should be based on correspondences invented by the choreographer rather than a literal imitation of the score. This perspective reflects his collaborative approach to the art form, particularly through his long-standing partnership with the choreographer George Balanchine. By maintaining this independence, Stravinsky argued that both music and dance could function as extensions of each other, allowing them to be heard and seen on equal levels of perception.1