Brian Bell provides this tour of Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring", being performed on April 5-9, 2019. Igor Stravinsky's seminal ballet score "The Rite of Spring", which premiered in Paris in 1913, was given its American premiere by the BSO in 1924. Depicting an imagined ancient ritual re-awakening of the earth, the score still has the power to thrill and even shock the listener with its raw, protean power.

Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" Audio Tour

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The Latvian violinist Baiba Skride joins her compatriot Andris Nelsons and the BSO for the world premiere of Grawemeyer Award-winning composer Sebastian Currier's "Aether" for violin and orchestra, a work co-commissioned by the BSO and the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig. Two unpredictable musical rogues bookend the new work: "Till Eulenspiegel", who in Strauss's tone poem thumbs his nose at the establishment, rides his horse through a market, and comes to no good end; and Stravinsky's puppet-come-to-life "Petrushka", whose attempts to win the admiration of a ballerina come to naught. In his second full ballet score for the Ballets Russes, two years before "The Rite of Spring", Stravinsky's astonishing musical depictions of a Russian Shrovetide fair further cemented the reputation of the young composer of "The Firebird".

Strauss, Currier and Stravinsky- Written by Robert Kirzinger and Richard Dyer, narrated by Eleanor McGourty

Stravinsky's puppet-come-to-life "Petrushka", whose attempts to win the admiration of a ballerina come to naught. In his second full ballet score for the Ballets Russes, two years before "The Rite of Spring", Stravinsky's astonishing musical depictions of a Russian Shrovetide fair further cemented the reputation of the young composer of "The Firebird". Video by Anthony Princiotti.

VIDEO - Stravinsky's "Petrushka" Video Podcast

BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons speaks with Brian Bell about the Shostakovich Symphony No. 15, being performed on April 25-30, 2019.

Interview: Andris Nelsons chats with Brian Bell

A brief look at Richard Strauss' tone poem "Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks". Video by Anthony Princiotti.

VIDEO - Strauss's "Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks" Video Promo

A preview of Stravinsky's puppet-come-to-life "Petrushka". Video by Anthony Princiotti.

Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" Audio Tour

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