riot of spring
On May 29th, 1913, Stravinsky's Rite of Spring premiered. It was so controversial that the audience started a riot. Was the riot mainly about the pigeon-toed faux-primitive dance, as some now think? Might be more complicated than that, because contemporary accounts mention the music too. Listening with a historical squint, it's easy to imagine that those sounds would go down easy in 1913, especially for a ballet-going crowd. The next time it was performed was in a symphony concert, and people were much more receptive — but then again that was years later, and right during a time when people were opening their ears to new sounds anyway.
Either way, many people mark that date as the beginning of the twentieth century in music — and many mark it as the first real event of the century, period. (What was the last event of the 19th? The Titanic? I'd suggest the Christmas Truce of 1914. In the music world, there's only one answer: Puccini's 1922 marvel Turandot.)
The piece still sounds fresh to this day. Other 20th-century masterpieces sound very ... 20th-century; but Rite sounds like it could be a current movie soundtrack.
For some time now, I've been seeing the hundredth anniversary of that premiere coming up on the calendar. Gotta do something, right? I asked some friends in a round-table sort of way, and the usual suggestions came up: flashmob? concert? a concert of new music for the new century? (Presumably, we'd be free to hiss!)
Well, the time has come, and the recently-named Stravinsky Uproar Society has decided on a party.
You're invited to the incredibly beautiful and cool environs of the Silo on Austin Highway, to pay tribute by dressing as far up as you want to — ball gown, suit, black tie, white tie, cocktail dress, little black dress — or full Diaghilev Russian Primitive Tribal. Or T-shirt and jeans.
There'll be fun and prizes galore: San Antonio crooner Ken Slavin is giving away copies of his two most recent CDs, "I'll Take Romance" and "The Song Is You," so you can calm down after all the rioting with some of the best jazz around.
And, from our friends at Texas Public Radio, a new CD of Stravinsky's great work — Leonard Bernstein's electrifying New York Philharmonic recording, newly remastered and just released.
There'll be other neat things and door prizes yet to be announced. Not to mention the ultimate party contest: a Dance-Yourself-To-Death-Off. The Silo's great bar drinks are on offer at great prices, and they're even concocting a drink special (the Riotini?). Loads of fun, amazing sights and sounds, and friends who love great music and good times.
Either way, many people mark that date as the beginning of the twentieth century in music — and many mark it as the first real event of the century, period. (What was the last event of the 19th? The Titanic? I'd suggest the Christmas Truce of 1914. In the music world, there's only one answer: Puccini's 1922 marvel Turandot.)
The piece still sounds fresh to this day. Other 20th-century masterpieces sound very ... 20th-century; but Rite sounds like it could be a current movie soundtrack.
For some time now, I've been seeing the hundredth anniversary of that premiere coming up on the calendar. Gotta do something, right? I asked some friends in a round-table sort of way, and the usual suggestions came up: flashmob? concert? a concert of new music for the new century? (Presumably, we'd be free to hiss!)
Well, the time has come, and the recently-named Stravinsky Uproar Society has decided on a party.
You're invited to the incredibly beautiful and cool environs of the Silo on Austin Highway, to pay tribute by dressing as far up as you want to — ball gown, suit, black tie, white tie, cocktail dress, little black dress — or full Diaghilev Russian Primitive Tribal. Or T-shirt and jeans.
There'll be fun and prizes galore: San Antonio crooner Ken Slavin is giving away copies of his two most recent CDs, "I'll Take Romance" and "The Song Is You," so you can calm down after all the rioting with some of the best jazz around.
And, from our friends at Texas Public Radio, a new CD of Stravinsky's great work — Leonard Bernstein's electrifying New York Philharmonic recording, newly remastered and just released.
There'll be other neat things and door prizes yet to be announced. Not to mention the ultimate party contest: a Dance-Yourself-To-Death-Off. The Silo's great bar drinks are on offer at great prices, and they're even concocting a drink special (the Riotini?). Loads of fun, amazing sights and sounds, and friends who love great music and good times.
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