The Rite of Spring

by Gillian Moore

The story behind the scandalous first performance of one of the most influential works in the history of music, as part of the stunning Landmark Library series. On 29 May 1913, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, a new ballet by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky, received its premiere. Many of the cultural big names of Paris were there, or were rumoured to have been Debussy, Ravel, Proust, Gertrude Stein, Picasso. When the curtain rose on a cast of frenziedly stamping dancers, a near-riot ensued, ensuring the evening would enter the folklore of modernism. While it was the dancing that triggered the mayhem, Stravinsky's score contained shocks enough, with its innovations in form, rhythm, dissonance and its sheer sonic power. The Rite of Spring would achieve recognition in its own right as a concert piece, and is now seen as one of the most influential works of the 20th century. Gillian Moore explores the cultural climate that created The Rite , tells the story of the creation of the music and the ballet and provides a guide to the music itself, showing how a scandalous novelty of 1913 became a 21st-century concert staple. As well as considering its influence on 20th-century classical composers, she probes The Rite 's impact on film music (including scores for Star Wars and Jaws ); its extensive influence on jazz musicians (including Charlie Parker) and by artists as diverse as Weather Report, Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa and The Pet Shop Boys.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Classical Music, Art

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2019

Reviews

[Youmei Jeurissen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book on my favourite piece? Yes please 🥸 Loved reading more about Stravinsky, the way the piece came about, what makes it so unique, how it’s influenced modern music, etc etc. Will definitely be revisiting the listening guide from time to time 🥰

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book about The Rite of Spring, looking at the music itself, its famous premiere in Paris as a ballet, and the work's afterlife.

[Tommaso Nista · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting analysis of one of the most influential artworks in the entire History.
This book is a compulsory read to understand the development of art in the 20th Century

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love The Rite of Spring ever since I studied it as part of a music major in college. This book, which is not overly technical and thus aimed at a general, non-music theory audience is a real pleasure. It's sort of separated into 4 main parts. First, it goes through Stravinsky's biography leading up to composing the piece. Then it talks about the notorious Paris premiere in 1913 (no there were not riots in the streets and it seems the annoyance was more at the strange dancing, not the music itself). Third is a listening guide, which, again, is not overly technical with just mostly instrument descriptions (a bassoon melody comes in here etc) and how they relate to the story. You can listen to the piece and read along with this section easily in 30-40 min or less depending on if you want to pause the music while you read etc. Fourth and finally is a history of the piece after the premiere up to the present and how it was used in other places (ie Disney's Fantasia) or how it influenced modern composers (think the Tattooine melody in Star Wars which comes directly from The Rite of Spring). Finally the end has some suggested recordings to listen to and books on Stravinsky and The Rite, which I'll probably seek out. All this in about 190 short pages. I feel like I just completed an appreciation course on The Rite of Spring and will surely feel more knowledgable next time I see it live.

[Devany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rite of Spring is one of my favorite ballets and probably my favorite piece of music. I analyzed it to death in music history classes in college, but mostly from a theory perspective and I wanted to know more about the historical context. This is a great quick read and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who’s also interested in ballet history or the Rite.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough, good pace, and informative even for non-musicians, though it did include some technical/musical descriptions. A great overview of a huge moment in music history.

[Danielle Laman · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read about my favourite ballet in a fresh and open way about all aspects has been a geuine treat to read and own.

[Helena]

bittelitt keisamt nokre gongar, men jamt over interessant lesing (spesielt viss du liker dette stykket!)

[Xu Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

初探春之祭

[Petr Šrajer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stručné shrnutí toho nejdůležitějšího ohledně Stravinského Svěcení jara, zpracované pro "obyčejné lidi". Pro ty náročnější je tu samozřejmě Taruskin a jeho "Stravinsky and the Russian Traditions."

[Naomi Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the background to and creation of The Rite of Spring. A quick read. Nice illustrations.