Questioning The Greatness of 'The Rite of Spring'

[Homo Aestheticus]

The other week on one of the BBC boards I came across this unusual opinion on The Rite of Spring:

I can only speak personally of course and offer a subjective view which, possibly, will not be shared by all. I wouldn't wish upset anyone who likes the piece, but as you asked the question it would be churlish to fail to reply.

Therefore, I have to say that I think Stravinsky's Rite of Spring to be largely raucous, discordant, unpleasant to hear and headache-inducing. There is little of beauty, mystery, nobility, spirituality or elegance within it. It would not particularly matter, as regards the harmonies or the general musical effect of much of the piece, were some, or even many, of the notes within it to be played incorrectly.

It is, for me, a travesty of music and a betrayal of the great and wonderful legacy to which Stravinsky was heir.

*******

I've enjoyed The Rite over the years but there was always a part of me that never could understand why it is such a celebrated piece, so it was refreshing to read his assessment. Obviously, I wouldn't go as far to say that it's "head-ache inducing" or a "travesty of music" but as regards "little of beauty and elegance", I must agree.

Let's face it: almost all composers from the 20th century just go completely gaga over it like it's some holy monument.

Can anyone here endorse his judgment of Stravinsky's famous work ?

[Dr. Dread]

I think it will hold up against this "questioning".

Not that I listen to it all that often...

[karlhenning]

Therefore, I have to say that I think Stravinsky's Rite of Spring to be largely raucous, discordant, unpleasant to hear and headache-inducing. There is little of beauty, mystery, nobility, spirituality or elegance within it.

A most apt moment at which to repeat a comment which Mike has adopted in his signature:

The fault is not in the piece; your listening gear needs to be recalibrated.

[ChamberNut]

Can anyone here endorse his judgment of Stravinsky's famous work ?

No, I can't.  This piece gets better and better with every listen.  The rhythmic patters are mind blowing!

A wonderful earthy, basic and instinctual feel to it.

Having said this, it isn't a work that will invoke that hot bowl of porridge, comfort of Mom's baking feeling.

[karlhenning]

This piece gets better and better with every listen.  The rhythmic patters are mind blowing!

A wonderful earthy, basic and instinctual feel to it.

Having said this, it isn't a work that will invoke that hot bowl of porridge, comfort of Mom's baking feeling.

Quoted for truth.

[karlhenning]

Take heart, Eric: my grandmothers (now deceased, Lord rest their souls) would have wrung their hands over Le sacre, too.

[Homo Aestheticus]

A most apt moment at which to repeat a comment which Mike has adopted in his signature:

The fault is not in the piece; your listening gear needs to be recalibrated.

Is that invariably the case with the listener ?

[Dr. Dread]

Eric said to himself, "How can I piss off Karl today?" 

[karlhenning]

Is that invariably the case with the listener?

Why invariably, Eric?  Half of your questions give the clear impression that you're speaking, not to the other fellow, but to the mirror.

Taking this point by point (not that you'll pay any heed):

It is simply (and neutrally) the case that Le sacre is largely raucous and discordant.  The composer was not out to write Swan Lake II.

To call the piece unpleasant to hear and headache-inducing, is granny-talk;  that is this listener's problem.  Myriad listeners find Le sacre pleasant to hear (Let's State the Obvious Dept).

To claim that "there is little of beauty, mystery, nobility, spirituality or elegance in the piece," is to commit errors to which you yourself are no stranger, Eric:  (a) it is to take one's own (hostile) perception of the piece as somehow "normative," and (b) it is to claim that one can pronounce definitively how descriptive qualities (beauty, mystery, nobility & spirituality, e.g) map onto music.

(Anyone who listens to the Prelude to Part II, for only one thing, and fails to hear beauty, mystery, nobility & spirituality, has cement cochleae, IMO.)

Stravinsky's music is surpassing elegant.  That dismissal of the piece, is about as elegant as a cabbie on Sullivan Street.

Eric said to himself, "How can I piss off Karl today?" 

He must be disappointed! Because he's only made himself frightfully amusing yet again 

[Sean]

Thanks for the laugh Eric. Best wishes.

[jochanaan]

It's impossible to argue with comments that begin with "I."  One "I" thinks, finds or feels something; another "I" thinks, finds or feels something different.  Who can argue about that?

As for me, I've loved the piece since I discovered it in the 1970s.  But I also love such strange composers as Ives, Varèse and Stockhausen.

One thing that has fascinated me about The Rite, though, is how Stravinsky never, not once, composed anything similar again--as if, having opened one gate, he chose to turn around and travel another path.  I don't think he had any particular antipathy to the piece either, since he conducted it on numerous occasions later in life.  (I have his 1960s recording with the Columbia Symphony; if there was any lack of empathy on the composer-conductor's part, there's no evidence of it in the recorded music.)

[karlhenning]

It's impossible to argue with comments that begin with "I."  One "I" thinks, finds or feels something; another "I" thinks, finds or feels something different.  Who can argue about that?

As for me, I've loved the piece since I discovered it in the 1970s.  But I also love such strange composers as Ives, Varèse and Stockhausen.

One thing that has fascinated me about The Rite, though, is how Stravinsky never, not once, composed anything similar again--as if, having opened one gate, he chose to turn around and travel another path.  I don't think he had any particular antipathy to the piece either, since he conducted it on numerous occasions later in life.  (I have his 1960s recording with the Columbia Symphony; if there was any lack of empathy on the composer-conductor's part, there's no evidence of it in the recorded music.)

No, no 'antipathy' at all . . . my impression is that, having composed Le sacre and Svadebka, Stravinsky (who possessed the eminently artistic instinct not to duplicate himself) turned his musical mind to other 'questions'.

[Rod Corkin]

Can anyone here endorse his judgment of Stravinsky's famous work ?

You won't find many people arguing against the status quo here...  

[karlhenning]

You won't find many people arguing against the status quo here...

If by here you mean this thread, probably not, because there is no artistic reason to question Le sacre's greatness.

If by here you mean GMG, I must quote the Firesign Theatre: You're drinking out of the toilet on this one, dogface.

[DavidRoss]

Re: Questioning The Greatness of 'The Rite of Spring'

Reminds me of the stereotypical boob's sneering dismissal of Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon: "My 5 year old can draw better'n that!"

[The Six]

I'd question the greatness of Stravinsky before that of The Rite of Spring.

[jochanaan]

You won't find many people arguing against the status quo here...  

If by here you mean this thread, probably not, because there is no artistic reason to question Le sacre's greatness.

If by here you mean GMG, I must quote the Firesign Theatre: You're drinking out of the toilet on this one, dogface.

And what is the status quo re The Rite of Spring?  It's hardly a "status quo" piece even among classical musicians...

[Bulldog]

I've enjoyed The Rite over the years but there was always a part of me that never could understand why it is such a celebrated piece, so it was refreshing to read his assessment. Obviously, I wouldn't go as far to say that it's "head-ache inducing" or a "travesty of music" but as regards "little of beauty and elegance", I must agree.

It's hard to fully appreciate a piece of music when you don't have any idea what it's about.

[karlhenning]

It's hard to fully appreciate a piece of music when you don't have any idea what it's about.

A hit, a very palpable hit.

[Franco]

I think it crucial to any understanding of The Rite of Spring to remember that was written for a ballet.  Much of its construction has to do with both the dramatic elements of the ballet narrative and the rhythmic demands of the choreography.

Having said that, I have loved this work since my first exposure to it about 40 years ago.

Also, I find it charming that a work written for the ballet could cause a near riot - something that today can usually be attributed to a soccer game, at least in the general realm of entertainment.

I fear we have lost some level of sophistication in how we indulge our need to riot.