Recording: Concert performance from BBC Proms
Video: Reconstruction of Vaslav Nijinsky’s original choreography by Joffrey Ballet
No public domain score
Lecture points
Review sheet for Stravinsky and Le Sacre du printemps
Igor Stravinsky
- studied under Rimsky-Korsakov (one of “The Mighty Handful” of Russian composers)
- went to Paris with ballet company of impresario Serge Diaghilev, composed many notable ballets
- musical style categorized into three periods
- “Russian” period uses ancient Russian culture and folk music along with extension of Romantic era’s chromaticism
- includes many ballets: Firebird, Petrushka, Rite of Spring
- while in Paris with Diaghilev
- “Neoclassical” period inspired by Classical era’s absolute music, clear and symmetrical forms
- includes opera The Rake’s Progress and Symphony of Psalms
- during this time Stravinsky moved to America at the beginning of World War II
- “Serialist” period inspired by Schoenberg’s school and twelve tone technique
- includes song In memoriam Dylan Thomas
- began after death of Schoenberg
Le Sacre du printemps
- one of his many ballets commissioned by Serge Diaghilev
- primitivism: rejects tradition of “civilized” Europe by looking to preindustrial (“primitive”) cultures for inspiration
- Rite of Spring expresses a basic, powerful story of sacrifice and renewal
- emphasis on rhythm over harmony, freedom from properly resolving harmonies
- choreography: ballets have dance steps choreographed to the music by a choreographer
- original choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky has been lost, but reconstructed by research
- dance reflects primitivism – repetitive, violent motions, inelegant
- polyrhythm: music containing several different meters at the same time
- example: the Introduction places triplets against eighths
- polytonality: music containing parts in several different keys at the same time
- example: the opening chords of Augurs of Spring juxtapose Eb7 and Fb major chords
- massive orchestra, unusual instruments (contrabassoon, piccolo trumpet, bass clarinet solos, güiro), extended techniques
- unusual orchestration includes the famous bassoon solo in an extremely high register
- flutter tongue: a technique for wind instrument where the tongue is rolled while playing, producing a light growl or “R” sound
- opening night caused a riot, ballet quickly became infamous