Stravinsky, Igor: The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre du Printemps) (1911-13, rev.1947) 33'

Pictures from pagan Russia in two parts

Scoring
3(III=picc).picc.afl.4(IV=corA).corA.3(III=bcl).Dcl(=Ebcl).bcl.4(IV=dbn).dbn-8(VII,VIII=ttuba).4(IV=btpt).picctpt.3.2-timp(2).perc(4)-strings

World Premiere
5/29/1913
Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris
Vaslav Nijnsky, choreographer / Theatre des Champs-Elysees / Pierre Monteux


Repertoire Note  
Stravinsky's first inspiration – ultimately yielding the culminating Danse sacrale – was of "a solemn pagan rite: wise elders, seated in a circle, watching a young girl dance herself to death. They were sacrificing her to propitiate the god of spring." His collaborator Nicholas Roerich – an important painter who was also an archeologist well-versed in folklore – told Diaghilev: "My object is to present a number of scenes of earthly joy and celestial triumph as understood by the Slavs."



Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to Boosey & Hawkes/Joseph Horowitz.

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