The Rite of Spring is the third and last of Stravinsky’s three pre First World War works for Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe; it was first performed on 29th May, 1913 and, by many accounts, caused a riot.
It wasn’t just the music with its high level of dissonance and pounding ostinati that caused the furore but also Vaslav Nijinsky, who had been entrusted with the choreography, had created a ballet that bore no resemblance to ‘classical’ dance, add to that the ‘primitive’ costumes and scenery of Nicholas Roerich and you have recipe for major discontent in the more conservative element of the audience.
For many years it was thought that Nijinsky’s original choreography had been lost. But then in 1987, thanks to many years of patient research, the American dance company Joffrey Ballet managed to recreate the original production complete with choreography, costumes and scenery; you can view the results below:
Made in 1938, Alexander Nevsky is an historical epic directed by Sergei Eisenstein with music by Prokofiev. The film was a great success, and its famous battle on the ice of lake Chudskoye has set the pattern for practically every major cinematic battle scene since.
Alexander Nevsky: the film…
Prokofiev was clearly pleased with his film score since he adapted the music into a cantata for concert performance:
0:00 – Russia under the Mongolian Yoke
3:21 – Song about Alexander Nevsky
6:17 – The Crusaders in Pskov
12:50 – Arise, Men of Russia
15:15 – The Battle on Ice
28:20 – The Field of the Dead
34:20 – Alexander’s Entry into Pskov
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Iaago
The Art of Listening 