Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" premiered 100 years ago today to a very chilly reception in Paris. The audience booed, jeered, and heckled it, critics of the day used terms like "madman" to describe Stravinsky... and today it is thought of as a seminal piece of modern music.
This news story caught my attention as the Rite found its way onto my radar awhile back for other reasons, and members here made very useful suggestions as to particular releases. I still wouldn't say it's my favorite music (although it led to my discovery of the Firebird which I like a lot), but I'm glad I investigated it.
A good piece aired on NPR today about it, with commentary by Michael Tilson Thomas; should be on their website.
