Stravinsky conducts "Sacre du Printemps" - 1929 - part 4

Stravinsky conducts "Sacre du Printemps" - 1929 - part 4

Second part : Le Sacrifice ( The Exalted Sacrifice )
- Action rituelle des ancêtres ( ritual action of the ancestors )
- Dance sacrale - l'élue ( sacrificial dance (the chosen one))
- Dance sacrale - fin


This is a legendary recording of Stravinsky conducting "The rite of spring" with the "Orchestre Symfonique de Paris" . It could be the premiere recording, but I'm not sure, as there's also the Pierre Monteux recording of the same year. (Pierre Monteux having conducted the premiere performance)

The Rite of Spring was a ballet, created in 1913, with a choreography by Vaslav Nijisky, set and costume designs by Nicholas Roerich, and Stravinsky as composer. The premiere performance in Paris caused a total scandal and riot, as audiences at that time, being used to the classical ballet were shocked by the primitive, chaotic nature of the performance and composition.
Stravinsky clarified the subject when he wrote in 1910 : "... there arose a picture of a sacred pagan ritual: the wise elders are seated in a circle and are observing the dance before death of the girl whom they are offering as a sacrifice to the god of Spring in order to gain his benevolence."
Leonard Bernstein once said about a passage :"That page is sixty years old, but it's never been topped for sophisticated handling of primitive rhythms..."

It's remarkable how clear the different instruments come out in this recording, which is amazing considering the limited technical possibilities in 1929.
I've added some original pictures from early performances and shoots, which will give you a better idea of the whole.
Enjoy !

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sacre
• printemps
• rite
• spring
• stravinsky
• ballet
• historical
• shellac
• nijisky
• roerich

[lednew2010]

Very odd to hear a repeat of a section of the Dance Sacrale. I suspect someone messed up on the transfer from original discs to this recording. Great photos from the original ballet... thanks!

[sobie99]

@lednew2010

Hmm, I suspect this would be at a turn of the sides. This did appear in recordings of this area, where they would retake a small part in the beginning, to "roll into" the next.

[mirellle]

These 4 parts you uploaded are the all piece?

[Rockdrummer365]

This wad used in Fantasia for the creation of the world sequence.

[lednew2010]

Very odd to hear a repeat of a section of the Dance Sacrale. I suspect someone messed up on the transfer from original discs to this recording.

[MolnarPohdap]

It's Interesting to hear how for instance the English horn solo has absolutely no vibrato. Also, the violin portamento is a surprise, though very much in style at that time.

[MolnarPohdap]

It's Interesting to hear how for instance the English horn solo has absolutely no vibrato.