@NevinJarek He speaks of how the "Riot" crowd came expecting to see ballets like Cleopatra or Sheherezade and were stunned at what they found in the very advanced Rite of Spring.
Wonderful interview and thanks for posting it., but just to clarify, this interview is not from the 1970's. Stravinsky died in 1971, and judging from comparisons to his demeanor in other interviews and photos, most likely this interview is from the early to middle 1960's.
@sidnyhop You're absolutely right. I wasn't paying attention to dates at the time of the posting. This was from Janos Darvas' interviews I think, wasn't it? 63 to 65 was it? I should have taken the time to not only get the date right but edit out Robert Craft. Thank you for bringing this to my attention though. I have to correct it. Have you seen the Stravinsky channel? Its listed in my subscribtions...I forget the name!
@fatovamingus I'll check out the channel. Thanks. And by the way, a touch of Robert Craft, or Crafty Robert as I like to say, is okay. But all of this is just so wonderful to see. I feel the same kind of awe I would experience if someone posted an interview with Beethoven.
@sidnyhop Whatever happened to Craft and how has history judged him musically despite his impenetrable attachment to the maestro. Is Craft really gifted or is he some lucky hangerson.
@MrAkihiros There are 2 schools of thought on Craft: exploiting hanger-on and sincere assistant. I subscribe to the former. He is petty, he has attempted to discredit anyone who disagrees with him,he isolated the maestro at the end of his life...watch Once at a Border, the scene with Mrs. Stravinsky and Craft. I don't think she liked him. It's a telling moment, I think.
@fatovamingus Thank you for that very informative comment. Not withstanding his personal likability I want your personal opinion on this matter. Once again thanks for posting this.
I think if Nijinsky hadn't dumped him for a woman, it might have worked out better for us all...
Had he not dumped Diaghilev for THAT woman, you mean:) Thanks very much for the information. The Ballet Russes is a subject I spent many hours studying and I'd love to see a decent documentary about them. I look forward to checking it out. A pleasure talking to you, as well.
Had he forced him on the public a ltitle more, that choreography may not have disappeared.
It didn't disappear, not completely. Nijinsky's sister, Bronislava, was quite the choreographer and it would appear from ballets such as "Les Noces" that she learned a good deal from her brother's choreographic style.
@Varese52 I think if Nijinsky hadn't dumped him for a woman, it might have worked out better for us all...The BBC did a serious documentary on The Ballet Russes which is here in pieces on youtube. I think parts 4 and 5 are specific to Stravinsky and Nijinsky. Also I have the BBC's Riot at the Rite on my blog which is excellent. The link is on my youtube channel if you wan to see it. It's pretty good. It is nice talking to you!
The real "scandal" was Nijinsky's choreography. Most of the catcalls were aimed squarely at the dancers, not the orchestra pit. The music was performed again as a concert piece very shortly thereafter and was a success. Nevertheless, it is true that the public does to tend reject anything which challenges their expectations. Over time, much of what they objected to is forgotten and the work of art in question is deemed a masterpiece.
@Varese52 As the maestro said "the scandal doubled". "Knock-kneed lolitas". I love that. Of course it was Nijinsky's choreography the Parisians found scandalous. Though both Stravinsky and Igor had been celebrated prior to this, together they asked for far too much and someone would not succeed. Diaghilev orchestrated Nijinsky's failure however when the dancer left him. There's a good story there. Had he forced him on the public a ltitle more, that choreography may not have disappeared.
at 3:06...ha....Naif people....i love it....the same for rap music Igor
jesemus33 8 months ago
What does he mean when he say that people came to see Sheherezade and Cleopatra? Were they some dancers? Or does he mean something else?
NevinJarek 10 months ago
@NevinJarek He speaks of how the "Riot" crowd came expecting to see ballets like Cleopatra or Sheherezade and were stunned at what they found in the very advanced Rite of Spring.
fatovamingus 10 months ago
@fatovamingus Oh, they were ballets? thanks for the reply =)
NevinJarek 10 months ago
Wonderful interview and thanks for posting it., but just to clarify, this interview is not from the 1970's. Stravinsky died in 1971, and judging from comparisons to his demeanor in other interviews and photos, most likely this interview is from the early to middle 1960's.
sidnyhop 1 year ago
@sidnyhop You're absolutely right. I wasn't paying attention to dates at the time of the posting. This was from Janos Darvas' interviews I think, wasn't it? 63 to 65 was it? I should have taken the time to not only get the date right but edit out Robert Craft. Thank you for bringing this to my attention though. I have to correct it. Have you seen the Stravinsky channel? Its listed in my subscribtions...I forget the name!
fatovamingus 1 year ago
@fatovamingus I'll check out the channel. Thanks. And by the way, a touch of Robert Craft, or Crafty Robert as I like to say, is okay. But all of this is just so wonderful to see. I feel the same kind of awe I would experience if someone posted an interview with Beethoven.
sidnyhop 1 year ago
@sidnyhop Whatever happened to Craft and how has history judged him musically despite his impenetrable attachment to the maestro. Is Craft really gifted or is he some lucky hangerson.
MrAkihiros 1 year ago
@MrAkihiros There are 2 schools of thought on Craft: exploiting hanger-on and sincere assistant. I subscribe to the former. He is petty, he has attempted to discredit anyone who disagrees with him,he isolated the maestro at the end of his life...watch Once at a Border, the scene with Mrs. Stravinsky and Craft. I don't think she liked him. It's a telling moment, I think.
fatovamingus 1 year ago
@fatovamingus Thank you for that very informative comment. Not withstanding his personal likability I want your personal opinion on this matter. Once again thanks for posting this.
MrAkihiros 1 year ago
@sidnyhop yes, it's NorthWetherlyDrive . Excellent channel.
fatovamingus 1 year ago
I think if Nijinsky hadn't dumped him for a woman, it might have worked out better for us all...
Had he not dumped Diaghilev for THAT woman, you mean:) Thanks very much for the information. The Ballet Russes is a subject I spent many hours studying and I'd love to see a decent documentary about them. I look forward to checking it out. A pleasure talking to you, as well.
Varese52 1 year ago
Had he forced him on the public a ltitle more, that choreography may not have disappeared.
It didn't disappear, not completely. Nijinsky's sister, Bronislava, was quite the choreographer and it would appear from ballets such as "Les Noces" that she learned a good deal from her brother's choreographic style.
Varese52 1 year ago
@Varese52 I think if Nijinsky hadn't dumped him for a woman, it might have worked out better for us all...The BBC did a serious documentary on The Ballet Russes which is here in pieces on youtube. I think parts 4 and 5 are specific to Stravinsky and Nijinsky. Also I have the BBC's Riot at the Rite on my blog which is excellent. The link is on my youtube channel if you wan to see it. It's pretty good. It is nice talking to you!
fatovamingus 1 year ago
The real "scandal" was Nijinsky's choreography. Most of the catcalls were aimed squarely at the dancers, not the orchestra pit. The music was performed again as a concert piece very shortly thereafter and was a success. Nevertheless, it is true that the public does to tend reject anything which challenges their expectations. Over time, much of what they objected to is forgotten and the work of art in question is deemed a masterpiece.
Varese52 1 year ago
@Varese52 As the maestro said "the scandal doubled". "Knock-kneed lolitas". I love that. Of course it was Nijinsky's choreography the Parisians found scandalous. Though both Stravinsky and Igor had been celebrated prior to this, together they asked for far too much and someone would not succeed. Diaghilev orchestrated Nijinsky's failure however when the dancer left him. There's a good story there. Had he forced him on the public a ltitle more, that choreography may not have disappeared.
fatovamingus 1 year ago
..And we humans appreciate it very much...
javilack 1 year ago
@javilack Ah! Point taken. Thank you...
fatovamingus 1 year ago