Surprising Stuff Saturday: 100 Years of 'The Rite of Spring'

Rounding out our weekly blog post schedule will be "Fun Fact Friday," with a musical fact or two. This week, it has become "Surprising Stuff Saturday!" We will be right on schedule next week.

This Wednesday, May 29th, marks the 100 year anniversary of the premiere of Stravinsky's ballet, The Rite of Spring. The piece is largely known for its infamous premiere, at which the audience protested so loudly that the dancers could not hear the music. Multiple factors contributed to the outcry - elaborate costumes, unusual choreography, and the strange story of pagan sacrifice, as well as Stravinsky's innovative music. It is dissonant, angular, and unpredictable, with an opening bassoon solo beyond the accepted range of the instrument at the time.

Although Stravinsky was unhappy with the audience reaction, the piece now stands as a great masterpiece of 20th century music.

Check out the Joffrey Ballet recreation of the premiere performance here: