Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring; Petrushka

First, a short quiz. The following are significant dates in the Twentieth Century. Can you identify the event that is associated with each one? a) April 14th 1912 b) May 29th 1913 c) September 1st 1939 d) August 6th 1945 e) June 2nd 1953 f) November 22nd 1963 g) July 21st 1969 h) January 16th 1991 I would guess that most of you found all but one of those fairly easy. Even if the exact date didn’t give it away, the year itself would. For ...
...bottom of this review. But what happened on May 29th 1913? And why is that date less familiar than the others? Perhaps its relative obscurity lies in the fact that it has no political or scientific significance; this one is musical. * * * * * * Paris, May 29th 1913 * * * * * * On that date, “modern music” was born. The course of musical history took a sudden lurch in a new direction. And it caused a riot. The event promised to be a pleasant evening ...

Floon 09.09.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring; Petrushka

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971), is best known for his ground-breaking and hugely influential music for ballet. Indeed, 'The Rite of Spring' or 'Le Sacre du Printemps' is perhaps the best example of Stravinsky's challenging and provocative interpretation of the 'Brave New World'. 'The Rite' was premiered in the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris (1913), and it all started well as a seemingly innocent bassoon melody floated out from the orchestral pit. ...
...the unprepared Parisian audience: pagan content, ritual sacrifice, wild choreography, savage and hugely unconventional music. This moment is a milestone in music history, and heralded (along with Schoenberg) a transformation in music: whilst once thought of as horrific, Stravinsky's music is now admired and is still perpetually influential. Stravinsky looks back in a post-modern and ironic sense at the traditions in musical history, and, by way ...

lauracallaghan83 25.07.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring; Petrushka