Stravinsky – Le Sacre du printemps

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