Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

Macintosh: $39.95

By Robert Winter

CD-Companion Series

"Rite of Spring is great. If you like twentieth-century music, or think you might, or wish you did, this is the thing to buy and the way to listen to Rite." -- Byte

"This is my favorite CD-ROM, because I love the Rite, and because there's so much there."--Herbie Hancock

Author Robert Winter calls The Rite of Spring the composition that "defined the beginning of the modern age." He also points out that, while the symphony is better known now than at its debut seventy-five years ago, it's probably no better understood. He's absolutely determined to rectify this situation, and his fervor is contagious. To make sure you understand the Rite's rhythmic innovations, Winter actually pounds on a piano and calls out the beat in a Shout It Out section.

There's a diagram of the orchestra (one of the largest ever assembled), and you can go into each section, read about any instrument (Stravinsky included some weird ones), and play a sample. Be the only person on your block to know what the guiro sounds like (kind of raspy). And for the more expert listener, Winter provides a second level of technical annotations. It's impossible to come away empty-handed from this gorgeous CD-ROM.

The Rite of Spring features:

A Close Reading: a running commentary across the whole composition, measure by measure -- play through, or search and browse at your own pace
Rite Listening: an exploration of the inner workings of Stravinsky's music
Stravinsky's World: a look at Stravinsky's life and times
The Rite as Dance: a discussion of the original production
The Rite Game: a question and answer game for one to four players

Reprinted from Voyager web site. All trademarks property of their respective holders.

Revised 4/5/2011