The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre du printemps)

The premiere of "The Rite of Spring" was the most famous artistic disaster in the history of western music. The audience refused to accept what they had seen on stage, raged in anger and yelled in contempt. Both the music and the dance were the complete opposite of the conventions in those arts. Instead of culture, refinement, richness and elegance, the audience got ritual music and ritual dancing, idol-worship and of all things, human sacrifice, animalistic urges and music that reminded them of bizarre, mocking noise more than the concerts to which they were accustomed. The riot caused that night was, in fact, a turning point in the world of music. Instead of burying the piece altogether, banishing it back to the composer's drawer, already packed with failed pieces, it changed the musical arena and was later recognized as the pioneer of modern music. This was the first time music was deliberately unpleasant to the ear, containing reversed rhythms in which articulations came on the off-beats (syncopation), reflecting the most "primitive" sound known to man. This was precisely Stravinsky's purpose. And since he endured the harsh attack of the critics, and eventually dragged the entire music realm to his side, he is nowadays perceived as one of the greatest composers. His influence on modern music is apparent in popular styles as well, in jazz and pop music, for he put onstage what is obscene but true, what is irritating though natural, fearing not to break conservative classical tradition, in favor of a new musical language. Just like rock music tried to do every decade, time and time again.

The plot tells us of a paganish rite in an ancient time. The young men of a tribe kidnap the young women of another tribe, sacrificing her in the spring celebration. The experience of spring's renewal, after winter, is celebrated when a young woman is offered as sacrifice, and the spirits of ancient ancestors are summoned up from the grave. As in "Firebird", here also a mythological story becomes a ballet, for which Stravinsky composes fascinating and revolutionary music. Rhythms, melodies and sounds appear and disappear, just like the growth and disappearance of the forces of nature, in endless cycle and ritual.