Analyzing the Pieces in Stravinksy’s The Rite of Spring (IV)

Russian composer Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, as performed by Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony, is useful in recognizing the many parts of the piece. The string section is the most prominent audibly. There are certain idiosyncratic uses of instruments that also bring an interesting sound to the piece. The overall sound of The Rite of Spring from the perspective that it is written for ballet adds to the possible complexity of the piece.

Of all the parts of the work, the performance and actions of the string section encompass a great amount of it. They are the first part that begins at Thomas’ opening command; a high-octave introduction punctuated by bass drums (Stravinsky). Throughout the performance, their dominance is apparent, whether when they play along with or after parts done by the other sections. A good example of both is in the 2:24 to 3:25 portion of the video.

On particular musician was not a part of that section, however. There is one at the 1:10 portion playing the flute that produces a continuous melody, serving as a base for that portion. It is best accompanied by the idiosyncratic use of violins, plucking or tapping at the string, to add to the flute’s notes without drowning it.

The avant-garde position The Rite of Spring has in history not only comes from the music but in the ballet performance. The dancing would perhaps have a difficulty for the dancers, but equally as much for the audience used to traditional ballet dancing. Historically, that is very much the case as are near-riot broke out during its premiere in 1913

The examination of the parts of The Rite of Spring from an audio-only perspective does not do it justice. Thomas’ emphatic movements as conductor and the interesting ways how the musicians play certain portions make it entertaining, with or without the accompanying ballet. On its own, The Rite of Spring still remains a dissonant yet cohesive orchestral work of great sound and importance.

Work Cited

Stravinksy, Igor. The Rite of Spring. Perf. San Francisco Symphony. Cond. Michael Tilson Thomas. YouTube. 2009. Web. < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIjlXYQzO7w