a dose of music: a classical injection - part 9

I'd like to suggest listening to Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1, also known as the Classical Symphony. I love this piece, partly because its 15 minutes long, total, which is sometimes refreshing when comparing it to an hour and a half symphony, but mostly because each movement has great themes which will inevitably get stuck in your head. Sergei gave the symphony its name due to his attempt to recreate a symphony in the classical style, trying mostly to emulate Joseph Haydn. Prokofiev added some newer elements to the structure to demonstrate his current time period (this was written around 1917), thus achieving a neo-classical status for the symphony. An interesting fact to this piece is that he composed it as composition practice away from a keyboard, meaning, he did it in his head. If you've ever tried any composition, you'll know this is quite impressive. While you're on a Prokofiev kick, I would also suggest listening to his Symphony No. 5, which is another popular composition of his.

a dose of music: a classical injection - part 8

My next listening suggestion is Igor Stravinsky's Le Sacre du Printemps, or Rite of Spring. Its one of those pieces I heard for the first time and was like, "What? That was horrible." Its now one of those pieces that I can't wait to hear or perform again and again. Stravinsky came up with the idea for the ballet in 1910, but didn't start working on it until 1912 and 1913. The piece essentially depicts a wild pagan spring ritual, in which a girl is being offered as a sacrifice to the Spring god. The Rite of Spring was groundbreaking as it was a very unconventional ballet, in rhythm, harmony, dissonance, and choreography. It was first performed in 1913 in Paris, and, according to reports, arguments and fistfights broke out amongst the audience between supporters and opponents of the new music, eventually developing into a full blown riot. The piece has an incredible primal, primitive, barbaric nature, and while you might think the dissonances would sound horrible (as he often even has different keyed triads playing at the same time; i.e. multiple keys playing at the same time), it is in fact quite exciting, and sounds good at the same time, which only a master like Stravinsky achieve. The percussive rhythmic intensity of the piece is one that is unmatched by any other, and at points, will really get you grooving as if it were a rock piece.

The piece is broken into two parts. The following is the breakdown of the piece. The first part begins with a very melodic and beautiful bassoon solo (which, according to Stravinsky, is the only tune he used that was directly taken from a previously existing folk melody; the rest are apparently either influenced or original-folk-sounding ideas created by Stravinsky). The second part begins with an eerie yet calm and somewhat beautiful setting. Both of which develop into barbaric, often scary moments.

Part I: Adoration of the Earth
Introduction
The Augurs of Spring (Dances of the Young Girls)
Ritual of Abduction
Spring Rounds (Round Dance)
Ritual of the Rival Tribes
Procession of the Sage
The Sage (Adoration of the Earth)
Dance of the Earth

Part II: The Sacrifice
Introduction
Mystic Circles of the Young Girls
The Glorification of the Chosen One
Evocation of the Ancestors
Ritual Action of the Ancestors
Sacrificial Dance (The Chosen One)

If you have seen the original Fantasia, you might recognize parts of the piece. While it is a ballet, the piece is often performed only in concert version without dancers. I hope you enjoy the piece, and if its your first time listening, please, don't suddenly slug the person sitting next to you.