Transcript Paris at the turn of the Century

Ballet Russes
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Established 1909 by Serge Diaghilev
Ballet company of Russian exiles
Ballet Realism
Immensely popular; responsible for some of
the most important works of the 20th Century
• Vaslav Nijinsky- Dancer and choreographer.
– Began relationship and moved to Paris to be the
star of the Ballet Russes
Ballet Russes
• Nijinsky’s choreography created
a scandal
– Exceeded limitations and traditions
of ballet
– Caused riots (genuine?)
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
• Premiered May 29, 1912
• Music by Debussy
• Choreography by Nijinsky
• Inspired by Stephane Mallarme’s
poem of the same name
– Faun’s seduction of and rejection by
water nymphs, whom he dreams about
in a drunken stupor.
• Controversy:
– First ‘modern’ ballet, rejection of classical ballet
– Two dimensional choreography
– Overtly sexual content ending in a masturbation scene
Igor Stravinsky
June 17, 1882- April 6, 1971
• 1909- Working relationship with Serge Diaghilev
– Commissioned arrangements for Ballet Russe
– After success, new ballets commissioned:
• Firebird (1910)
• Petrushka (1911)
• Rite of Spring (1913)
• 1910-Traveled for Firebird premier and relocated to Paris
– At this time, wife sick with tuberculosis
– Effected Stravinsky and daughter as well
Igor Stravinsky
June 17, 1882- April 6, 1971
•Three Stylistic Periods:
•The Russian Period
•The Neo-Classical Period
•The Serial Period
Firebird
• 1910 ballet composed for Ballet Russe
– First original score for Ballet Russe
• Ballet score different from concert
“Suites” which are most often performed
• Established Stravinsky as a famous
composer
Rite of Spring
• Premiered May 29, 1913 at the Théâtre des ChampsÉlysées, Paris.
• Choreography by Vaslav Nijinski
– Stravinsky and Nijinski did not work well
• Depicts Pagan Russia’s selection of the girl whom
they will sacrifice to
the God of Spring, and the
praising of said God. (Act 1)
• The sacrifice dances herself
to death before the eyes of the
rest of the Pagan community.
Rite of Spring
• Dancing
– Sharp bodily bends
– Focus on pelvis
– Body curved inward, and down
– Heavy steps
• Many unorthodox treatment of musical
elements:
– Instrumental range
– Harmony
– Rhythm
Rite of Spring
• Content, dancing, and music, all focusing on
the grotesque, combined with a heightened
political atmosphere and focus on scandale:
– Rioting!
– Booing from initial bassoon solo (‘misuse’) growing
with added complication of harmony
– Arguments between supporters and objectors
resulted in fistfights
– Police arrived by intermission
Stravinsky
• Neo-Classical Period
– Began around the end of WWI
– First major work Pulcinella (1920)
– Eventually moved towards smaller ensembles
During this time his wife and daughter passed away,
moved to L.A.
• Serialism
– Waited until Schoenberg’s death (1951)
– Very experimental