Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring

Still provocative and disturbing a century after its premiere caused a sensational scandal.

Le Sacre du Printemps

There are pieces of music that actually change the world.

Rite of Spring dancers

In May of 1913, a scandal was brewing in Paris. News of an avant-garde ballet being rehearsed at the Théâtre des Champs Élysées by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes was running through the streets. It sparked a clash between Paris aristocracy and the extreme avant-garde that erupted the night of May 29th at the première of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. The world was one place when it began, and was a different place when it finished, and the riot that ensued made news headlines around the globe the following day.

This audio collection commemorates the 100th anniversary of the première of The Rite of Spring with Radio New Zealand Concert programmes and recordings exploring one of the most influential pieces of music of all time.

Image: A posed group of dancers in the original production of Igor Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring, showing costumes and backdrop by Nicholas Roerich. The dancers are (left to right) Julitska, Ramberg (Marie Rambert), Jejerska, Boni, Boniecka, Faithful.

Collection items

  • The Rite of Spring and its Polynesian Ancestry

    16 Jul 2014

    Imagine The Rite of Spring composed as a haka, and a challenge, to the peers and audiences of its composer, Igor Stravinsky. We continue our celebration of The Rite of Spring's centenary with New… Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Rite of Spring Centenary

    29 May 2013

    The Paris premiere of Stravinsky’s ballet is looked on as one of the signposts of musical modernism – and, in particular, an indicator of the divide between creativity and audience reception in the… Audio

  • The Rite of Spring - 100 year shock wave

    26 May 2013

    Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is still provocative and disturbing a century after its premiere caused one of the most sensational scandals in artistic history. In this anniversary documentary, the… Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)

    11 Apr 2004

    Elric Hooper and Des Wilson discuss Igor Stravinsky's music. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • STRAVINSKY: Rite of Spring

    music
    29 May 2013

    Stravinsky's 'Rite of Spring' performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Pietari Inkinen just prior to assuming the role of music director of the NZSO. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • The Critic's Chair - Rite of Spring

    26 May 2013

    Robert Johnson reviews a new interpretation of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring by the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Simon Rattle. Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

  • The Critic's Chair for 28 October 2012

    28 Oct 2012

    Murray Khouri compares great recordings of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring on The Critic’s Chair. Murray’s Choice: from a generally excellent crop of recordings Valery Gergiev and Simon Rattle vie for top… Audio

    This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

Igor Stravinsky