The Rite of Spring

The Rite of Spring was commissioned as an orchestral work for a ballet and premiered in Paris in 1913. Differing views of both the music and choreography led to a riot by the audience. The piece is divided into two parts: “The Adoration of the Earth” and “The Exalted Sacrifice.” Stravinsky’s piece has many defining characteristics, such as its polytonalities, polyrhythms, ostinato layers, and dissonance. This piano reduction for one piano, four hands was written by Stravinsky.