preview

Music In Igor Stravinsky's The Rite Of Spring

Decent Essays

Igor Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring is a representation of his Russian roots and everything that he and his culture celebrated. Stravinsky managed to bring an earthy and wild tone to an orchestra that audiences were used to being so elegant and high class. The symbol of spring to the Russian culture represents their new year with the revival of the crops and unity that was crucial to living. Embodying the gathering of people with their relationship with the Earth, Stravinsky brought music back to the origins of dance.
Born on June 17, 1882 in Oranienbaum, Russia, Igor Stravinsky was raised in St. Petersburg by his father and mother. The family already with a musical background, Stravinsky did not want to pursue the same career as his father and mother. While attending the University of St. Petersburg, Stravinsky met the son of the composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov who changed his mind from studying law to become a music composer. After the arrival of the first World War, Stravinsky, along with his wife and children, fled from Russia. Stravinsky then proceeded to travel the world with his music, moving to France with his family in 1920. Though Stravinsky moved from New York City to Los Angeles, his time spent in Paris helped influence his inspiration for The Rites of Spring as the Parisian culture was diffused from Russia. During his time in back in Russia, Igor Stravinsky spent a summer in Ustilug where he discovered that the spring season is very influential

Get Access