Antheil continued his piano studies, and the study of modernist compositions, such as those by Igor Stravinsky and members of the Les Six group of French composers. In 1921, he wrote his first in a series of technology-based works, the solo piano "Second Sonata, "The Airplane"". Other works in the group included the "Sonata Sauvage" (1922–23) and subsequently "Third Sonata, "Death of Machines"" (1923), ""Mechanisms"" ("circa" 1923), both composed in Europe. He also worked on his first symphony, managing to attract Leopold Stokowski to premiere it. Before the performance could take place, Antheil left for Europe to pursue his career. This may have diminished his chances for success in his native country.