The Rite to Create

Have you ever put all your effort into something you thought would be amazing, only to have others deem it as unsatisfactory? Then you can empathize with Stravinsky and Nijinsky concerning their collective masterpiece, The Rite of Spring.

Looking at it from a strictly musical standpoint, The Rite of Spring, as the text notes, is a pastoral piece. However, Stravinsky deviates from the traditional peaceful melodies and instead composed a piece that includes a pounding, rhythmic meter and striking, dissonant chords. His overall affect is one of discontent and unrest; not a favorite for posh audiences used to happy, melodic tunes. I believe that Stravinsky was a true genius in his work but why don't you decide for yourself. Remember, the more you listen to it, the more you might like it...

• Music #1

• Music #2

• Music #3

Each of these parts of the composition (recorded by the Redwood Symphony) tell a different part of the story. In the first, can't you just hear the hopeful sounds of spring reflected in the flute and piccolo which are then overshadowed by the pounding brass melody? What do you picture is happening in the piece? Do any particular images come to mind?

Would it surprise you if I told you the ballet component of this work tells the story of a young girl being sacrificed? Vaslav Nijinsky, the choreographer for The Rite of Spring, uses Stravinsky's powerful rhythm' as the inspiration for his dancers. I think that his choreography fits the feel of the piece very well. As you view this video, look at the main character,the girl about to be given for sacrifice. When I watch this, I see her inner turmoil, her fear of becoming a human offering. What do you see? Is it what you pictured when you first heard the music? Or is it much different?




Personally, I fink Nijinsky's use of the music for his inspiration absolute genius. However, many people in his time did not. Like the classic troubled artist, Nijinky's and Stravinsky's creation wasn't accepted by their contemporaries. To the contrary, many people of their day thought it an aberration. Quoted from the book, a critic wrote " They paw the ground, they stamp, they stamp, they stamp and they stamp" (commenting on the dancers). I however, think all the stamping is appropriate. While others criticized Nijinsky for the animal-like qualities of the choreography, I find the primal essences of the dancer's movements fitting for a sacrificial ritual. I can't imagine anyone about to take part in killing someone to please the gods about to do a pirouette from the overflow of happiness in their heart. Nijinsky wasn't mistaken, he was just misunderstood.

So misunderstood in fact, that at the premiere performance of The Rite of Spring, there was actually a riot from the audience because of their extreme distaste. A clip from the movie, Riot at the Rite, might give you a good feel for what it was like to be at that performance.



I can't imagine being forced to sit through that ridicule of your own creation! I understand if to some people it's just 'a rock on a stick', but at least comments like that are made away from the artist's ears. Nijinsky and Stravinsky just had to sit through the performance and take the audience's flack. Not only because of this, but also due to their extreme talent and genius I find these men extreme inspiration for their drive to trying something new. These two creators were way ahead of their time in terms of their creations and I applaud them for their creativity and ambition.

One final thought... it was also later theorized that the harsh movements of Nijinsky's choreography blatantly reflect paintings created in the Cubist style; also of that time period...and also initially rejected. Take a look at this painting by Picasso and see if it reminds you of the dancing.

Much like Nijinsky, critics of Picasso's time labeled his work as 'not an art form.' A mistake.
Albert Einstein, the creator of the theory of relativity that helped to inspire the modern art movement, and thus Picasso's cubism, Nijinsky's choreography and Stravinsky's music, stated:
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."

Maybe the contemporary humanities and their genius creators are even more connected than I ever imagined.