The Rite of Spring

Question 1

Summary

Answer 1

Set in pagan Russia during pre-Christian times, the ballet comprises a series of episodes depicting tribal games and rituals conducted to ensure the fertility of the earth. It culminates in the Sacrificial Dance during which a chosen maiden dances herself to death.

Question 2

Introduction tempo

Answer 2

marked Lento, tempo rubato

Question 3

Introduction ‘Before the curtain rises….’

Answer 3

Before the curtain rises, the orchestra evokes the primordial scene

Question 4

Main character

Answer 4

Bassoon very prominent, main character

Question 5

How is the work opened?

Answer 5

Haunting bassoon solo opens the work; melody heard in instrument’s highest register.

Question 6

Introduction melody

Answer 6

Melody (which is based on Russian folk tunes), based on Aeolian mode, sounds archaic and evocative (because it was used in Renaissance era)

Question 7

Introduction how is a primordial landscape suggested?

Answer 7

The primordial landscape is sugested through rich orchestral effects such as flutter-tongue (woodwinds) and harmonics (upper strings), depicting different nature sounds.

Question 8

Introduction element facts

Answer 8

Pliable rhythm achieved through changing meters and fermatas.
Plaintive injections from the French horns and clarinets.
Complex polyrhythms contribute to the musical density (unpredictable nature, trying to demonstrate native Russia).
Intense chromaticism maintains the tension.
The musical tension is dissipated with a return of the opening bassoon solo.
A brief ostinato-like figure played by the violins serves as a transition to the next section.

Question 9

How long is the bassoon solo?

Answer 9

17 seconds

Question 10

Dance of the Adolescents (mm. 76-81)

Answer 10

Young men and women, divided into groups, begin their rituals marked by stomping feet and flailing limbs (sticcato, ostinato)
Primitivism is evoked through an elemental pounding rhythm.
Marked Giusto (in strict time)
Strings are used percussively, not lyrically.
French horns reinforce syncopation.
Dissonant harmonies derived from the use of polychords.
Ostinato figure from the transition reappears intermittently.

Question 11

Which part is the most popular?

Answer 11

Dance of the Adolescents

Question 12

Dance of the Adolescents (mm. 118-125)

Answer 12

Folk-like melodic fragments in the bassoons and contrabassoon appear against a stark, syncopated background of strings.

Question 13

Dance of the Adolescents (mm. 164-170)

Answer 13

A short modal melody is introduced by the French horns against an evocative backdrop of trills (woodwinds) and col legno technique (upper strings, rattling affect)

Question 14

Game of Abduction

Answer 14

The action becomes increasingly frenzied as the young men dominate the women.
Begins 9/8 and marked Presto (fast, savage, brutal, violent)
The woodwinds and brass announce bold, fanfare-like figures.
Played marcatissimo (with much accentuation)
Dense orchestrating accentuates the frenzied dance, featuring pizzicato and staccato articulations (plucked, snapping, chaos)