The Rite of Spring is a ballet and orchestral concert work by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, premiered at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris on May 29, 1913. It is a collection of 13 short pieces, with its French and Russian titles translating to “The Coronation Of Spring” and “The Rite Of Spring” lending a chilling dimension. The piece depicts a pagan ritual where dancers honor the advent of spring and engage in celebration and competition. A young woman is chosen as the sacrificial victim who must dance herself to the climax.
The Rite of Spring was designed by Nicholas Roerich and is a chilling piece that depicts violence. The UK Philharmonia Orchestra recorded the piece in audio and video, and it is an endlessly interesting study to study in the piano-four-hands score side by side with the orchestral score. The piece requires an intense amount of energy and focus to make an impact beyond just holding together ensembly.
In summary, Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring is a notorious piece of orchestral music that caused a riot at its first performance in 1913. It is a collection of short pieces, with a focus on the theme of spring and violence.
📹 The Rite of Spring – Try your hand at conducting Stravinsky’s rhythm revolution
Have a go at conducting with Music Director of The Royal Ballet, Barry Wordsworth as he describes how Stravinsky revolutionised …
📹 Leonard Bernstein Rehearsing The Rite of Spring
The Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra rehearses Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”.
Bernstein was truly a force of nature. The Rite of Spring is one of my favorite works, and it was great to see Bernstein go over its points with the young orchestra. I was surprised that he invoked dinosaurs: from Fantasia? And here I’ve been trying NOT to think of dying dinosaurs when that passage is played! Oh well, if it’s good enough for Bernstein . . . Thanks for posting.