The Rite of Spring: The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra with Michael Houstoun

About this event

Stravinsky’s most notorious ballet: The Rite of Spring. Written for a ballet of the same name, and choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky, its Paris premiere in 1913 caused its audience to riot. Did the provocatively barbarous dancing and thumping of raucous music cause disgust and enrage some? Regardless, this work made Stravinsky’s name.

When The Rite of Spring premiered in 1913, it was preceded in the programme by Les Sylphides, a ballet choreographed to music by Frederic Chopin. Legendary New Zealand pianist Michael Houstoun performs a selection of the original Chopin solo piano works that were later orchestrated for this ballet.

Nowadays, The Rite of Spring is considered one of the most influential and exciting works of the twentieth century, and performances enthral listeners with its driving irregular rhythms, innovative bitonality, eerily distinctive melodies, and heart-palpitating energy. This performance of Stravinsky’s stunning work will be accompanied by an immersive visual design by leading New Zealand creatives, Nocturnal.

Your ticket purchase will directly support the participating artists through IDAGIO’s Fair Artist Payout Model: IDAGIO pays 80% of the net revenue directly to the performers.

This event is available to stream until December 31, 2021. 

Programme

• 1. Concert – approx. 70 min programme

Repertoire

1. Frédéric Chopin: Polonaise in A Major, Op. 40 No. 1 'Military'

2. Frédéric Chopin: Nocturne in A flat Major, Op. 32 No. 2

3. Frédéric Chopin: Valse in G flat Major, Op. 70 No. 1

4. Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in D Major, Op. 33 No. 2

5. Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in C Major, Op. 67 No. 3

6. Frédéric Chopin: Prelude in A Major, Op. 28 No. 7

7. Frédéric Chopin: Valse in C sharp Minor, Op. 64 No. 2

8. Frédéric Chopin: Grande Valse Brillante in E flat Major, Op.18

All performed on solo piano by Michael Houstoun

1. Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

This performance was filmed at Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand.