Igor Stravinsky

Since the presentation of the Keeping Score episode about the Rite of Spring took the entire class period, I did not offer any introduction or lead any discussion. The episode gave you some excellent background, but, as I mentioned, it would be a good idea to listen to the entire work without any video.

For ideas on blog comments, blogs posts, or perhaps for final projects, read from the lesson plan below:

Presentation: Background: French title Le Sacre du Printemps, ballet composed in 1913 for the Ballets Russes Introduction: Directed by Sergei Diaghilev, Choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky Inspiration: "One day [in 1910], when I was finishing the last pages of L'Oiseau de Feu in St Petersburg, I had a fleeting vision ... I saw in my imagination a solemn pagan rite: sage elders, seated in a circle, watching a young girl dance herself to death. They were sacrificing her to propitiate the god of Spring. Such was the theme of the Sacre du Printemps"

Lecture Points: This work was so revolutionary that it caused a riot at its premiere The Rite of Spring is more often performed as an orchestral stage work, than in the original ballet format Stravinsky had numerous compositional phases: Russian period (c. 1908-1919), Neoclassical period (c. 1920-1954), Serial period (1954-1968)

Discussion Points: Do you think that Rite of Spring was the most wild work we have heard? Stravinsky lived in Russia, Switzerland, France and the U.S - why do you think he moved so much? Just how often do you hear something really unique and new in the music world?

Blog Comment Ideas: Share your reaction to the Rite of Spring Explore more about Stravinsky and share your thoughts Which side of the riot would you have been on - in favor or against the Rite of Spring? Blog Post Ideas: Give us a peek at your upcoming presentation or tell us a little about your final project Write a blog on the theme of “Advice to a College Freshman” Do you have a favorite 20th-Century classical composer? Who? Presentation Ideas: Present a talk on one of Stravinsky’s other great works Discuss the influence of 20th Century conflicts on the arts (WWI, WWII, Korean War, Viet Nam, Cold War) Show slides on the costumes and set designs of the Rite of Spring over the years Final Project Ideas: Write a report on Ballets Russe or the Parisian Arts scene in the 1910s and 1920s Create a research-style poster on some aspect of the music from this course Choreograph a dance, write a short story, or an artwork inspired by the Rite of Spring