When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky
This informational picture book tells the fabulous story of how "The Rite of Spring" ballet came to be. Igor Stravinsky was a traditional composer and Vaslav Nijinsky was an extraordinary Russian ballet dancer, but when they met in 1911, they decided to collaborate on a new ballet. The music of this ballet, "The Rite of Spring", was based upon the Russian folk songs Stravinsky's past, and the dances were inspired by Russian folk dances. During the first performance, some in the audience began to boo. Others began to support the dancers. According to extensive notes from the author, shouts and fistfights in the aisles soon followed. A riot broke out and police needed to assist. All over a new piece of music! The illustrations are bright and vibrant and reference many of the author/illustrator's favorite paintings from that time period. To hear this piece of music yourself, click here. This book received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly--quite a feat! Highly recommended.
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