Stravinsky Rite of Spring

• The premiere performance of The Rite of Spring caused a riot among the audience due to its unconventional music and choreography.
• The Rite of Spring is an orchestral piece by Igor Stravinsky, composed between August 1913 and February 1914.
• Rhythmic Features: Cross rhythm, syncopation, triplets and quintuplets
• The time signatures were unusual and changed a lot
• The tonality : Bitonality and atonal
• Stravinsky used dissonance throughout the work
• Orchestra: Large ensemble with many percussion instruments
• It was one of the largest orchestras ever assembled for his score, with 100 musicians and 90 instruments
• Harmonic Features: Chromatic scale, modal, aeolian mode
• Inspired by Lithuanian and Russian Folk music
• Melodic Devices: Short motifs, repeated notes, chromaticism, Ostinato
• The texture is predominantly Polyphonic but monophonic at the begining
• Performing Forces: Pizzicato, double stopping, down bows, con sordino, con legno, flutter tonging, muted trumpet
• There is a standard string section
• There is a large brass and percussion section
• Igor Stravinsky was born June 17 1882
• Igor Stravinsky died in April 6th 1971
• Composers who inspired Igor Stravinsky

  • Claude Debussy
  • Sara Murphy
  • Alexander Scriabin
  • Karlheinz Stockhausen
  • His father
• Periods and styles of music for Igor Stravinsky

  • Russian Period
  • Russian Folklore
  • Neoclassical
  • Classical
• This composition is based on new directions
• The Rite of Spring was composed in 1913
• The Rite of Spring

  • It was controversial as the audience found it too dissonant, chromatic and violent
  • It was created for a ballet
  • People were offended by Nijinsky's choreography
• Stravinsky composed with the largest orchestra ever
• Stravinsky revolutionized 20th century music
• Stravinsky's music was Distinctive use of rhythm which pushed across the bar line
• Other Stravinsky works


  • Petrushka
  • Symphony of Psalms
  • The Firebird
• 20th Century music


  Music that often went in experimental directions.
• Folk


  Relating to a particular country or region.
• Compound triple time


  Three dotted beats in a bar, e.g. 9/8.
• Cross rhythms


  The effect produced when two conflicting rhythms are heard together.
• Free rhythm


  Rhythm that does not fit regular pulse.
• Polyrhythm


  Conflicting rhythms played together.
• Presto


  Very fast tempo.
• Quintuplets


  5 notes in the time of 4.
• Rubato


  Tiny fluctuations in tempo for expressive effect.
• Syncopation


  Emphasising beats of the bar that are normally unaccented.
• Triplets


  3 notes in the time of 2.
• Countermelody


  A secondary melody that is heard alongside the main one.
• Fragments


  A short segment of melody that can be repeated and manipulated.
• Homophonic


  Melody and accompaniment.