When Igor Stravinsky’s work “The Rite of Spring” made its debut in Paris on May 29, 1913, it was called by some one of the most scandalous events in music history. So much so that the theater erupted in a riot. Fast forward 100 years to this coming Wednesday, 100 years to the day since that debut, when the work will be performed in a new arraignment by The Five Browns at the Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College.
WAMC's Bob Barrett spoke with Charles M. Joseph, Professor Emeritus of Music at Skidmore College. Professor Joseph is the author of four books on Stravinsky, and has been chair of the Skidmore music department and the dean of faculty, and he told us what about The Rite of Spring caused such an extreme reaction.