The Rite of Spring

On May 29, 1913, an over-capacity audience in Paris’ Théâtre des Champs-Élysées witnessed an historical spectacle as they became a brute catalyst in the most (in)famous opening night of the twentieth century. The Rite of Spring premiered that evening in the midst of a riot, inspired by the overwhelming primitivism both onstage and in the score. One hundred-plus years later, the music still incites the senses. The ballet was first published in 1914 in a reduction for two pianos, and serves as a basis for this arrangement. This edition is presented in honor of the centennial of the ballet’s premiere, and is intended to give soloists and accompanists a chance to perform two movements from this monumental work. The movements can be performed separately, and the first movement can be played as a solo without piano accompaniment. For advanced players.