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Music In Igor Stravinsky's The Rite Of Spring

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“The Rite of Spring” was certainly the most controversial piece of orchestral music of its time. The piece, composed by the Russian Composer Igor Stravinsky, included lots of uncommon musical elements. But was it really that uncommon? The world-changing ballet, “The Rite of Spring” was so controversial when it debuted in 1913, because it completely contradicted the common rhythmic and harmonic languages of most of the music at the time. The choreography and costumes were also a main part of the reason why the audience reacted with negativity and riots. But the fact that Stravinsky’s music used similar melodic, orchestrational, and harmonic techniques of pieces written before, really brings up the question: Why did the audience react the way that they did? Stravinsky’s music reflected his early life experiences. Also, Stravinsky was not, in fact, the first composer who was “committed” with composing such controversy, so again: were riots necessary? The result of the audience’s reaction caused by the ballet has not happened before. “Le Sacre du Printemps” (the original name) was one of the most contentious ballets in history. The 33-minute ballet resembles a pagan ritual from ancient Russia about a sacrificial virgin dancing herself to death for the arrival of spring. Vaslav …show more content…

Igor Stravinsky is quoted saying, “I never came across anyone who had any real attraction for me” when he mentions his lonely schooldays. His parents were never supportive of his music because they wanted him to study law. Then, his father died from cancer, in 1902. This was the year he started taking lessons from Rimsky-Korsakov, but six years later, Rimsky-Korsakov dies too. This strongly affected him because Rimsky-Korsakov was such a major influence in his life. All of these events strongly impacted Stravinsky, which may be why his music is so emotional and powerful. He should not be “blamed” for writing music inspired by his

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Discuss the innovations in the music of Stravinsky’s ‘Russian Period’ with specific reference to The Rite of Spring and at least one other work. Igor Stravinsky, born in Russia 1882, is widely know as one of the most influential composer of the 20th century. Most notably, his composition The Rite of Spring is considered to be where his innovations in music come into perspective. I will discuss these innovations in detail using The Rite of Spring(The Rite) as a main reference and comparing it to some of his other works. Stravinsky’s compositions can be divided into three periods during his life; Russian Period, Neo-classicism and Post-war/Serialism.

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Most perception has questioned the traditional account, especially regarding the extent of the unrest was caused by the music, not the choreography and / or social and political circumstances. Stravinsky, Richard Taruskin has written an article about the premiere, titled "A Myth twenty of the century," in which he tried to indicate where the traditional stories that provoke unrest music half of magnitude of the human thumb, by Stravinsky himself in 1920 after he had published

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He chose to make a ballet blanc, which he composed for a refined instrumental force, manifested as a string orchestra of 34 instrumentalists: 8 first violins, 8 second violins, 6 violas, 4 first cellos, 4 second cellos and 4 double basses • Stravinsky had centered Apollo music in Greek mythology. • The prologue begins with dotted rhythms in the style of a French overture. • 1st Celliopes is a dramatic piece( muse of poetry – tablet) • 2nd polhymnia is a playful piece ( muse of acting and mime – mask) • 3rd

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This piece consisted of two different movements. The second part of it was a lot more allegro, upbeat, and energized. It symbolized the eternal love that no one, not even a powerful king, could take away. The whole orchestra had more active roles and a polyphonic texture. Together they made a beautiful

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But the fact that Stravinsky’s music used similar melodic, orchestrational, and harmonic techniques of pieces written before, brings up the question: Why did the audience react the way that they did? Stravinsky’s music reflected his early life experiences. Consequently, Stravinsky was not, in fact, the first composer who was “committed” with composing such controversy, so again: were riots necessary? The result of the audience’s reaction caused by the ballet has not happened before. “Le Sacre du Printemps” (the original name) was one of the utmost contentious ballets in history.

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He would soon begin to take private music lessons with Rimsky-Korsakov. Whom became like a second father to Igor Stravinsky. Teaching him all about composing and teaching him new different sounds. They would do these private lessons twice weekly, but soon also the man who he became very close with would also pass away in the year of 1908. Not all things were bad for Igor Stravinsky, he has did something that would be extremely unusual now, but what is quite common back in the day.

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