Drawing on pagan Russia as it's source of inspiration, The Rite of Spring opens with the Adoration of the Earth, the introduction to which is marked by the evocative bassoon solo with which it starts and finishes, leading without a break to the forceful rhythm of the Augurs of Spring, Dances of the Young Girls (us augures printaniers: Danses des adolescentes). The Ritual of Abduction (Jeu du rapt) follows, with two groups of girls, dressed in red, pursued in a simulated ritual of abduction, by the young men. The SpringRounds (Rondes printani?Â¿res) are introduced by trills on flutes, with a simple Russian clarinet melody, the dancers moving in circles. Now the Ritual of the Two Rival Tribes begins (Jeux des cites rivale's), interrupted by the Procession of the Sage (Cortege du sage), as the tribal elders lead in their wise old high priest. He lies prone on the ground, in adoration of the earth (Adoration de la terre), after which the people celebrate with the Dance of the Earth (Danse de la terre). The second part of The Rite of Spring is The Sacrifice (Lesacrifice). The mysterious introduction evokes a twilight scene, desolate, and yet inhabited by strange and primitive creatures. A dark hill-top is marked by sacred stones and totems. From the Mystic Circles of Young Girls (Cerclesmysterieux des adolescentes) one will be chosen as sacrificial victim, as they circle in rhythmic motion, watched by the tribal elders. Once the victim is chosen, lost in an ecstatic trance, her role is glorified in The Glorification of the Chosen One (Glorification de l'elue), a dance of fierce asymmetrical rhythms. Fanfares herald the Evocation of the Ancestors (Evocation des anctres), and the elders, wearing animal-skins, celebrate the Ritual Action of the Ancestors (Action rituelle des anc?-tres), moving forward to the stark and exotic rhythms of the final Sacrificial Dance (Dansesacrale), as the victim joins in a ritual that must end in her own death.

Tracklist:

The Rite of Spring, Part I: The Adoration Of The Earth
The Rite of Spring, Part II: The Sacrifice
Card Game: First Deal: Alla Breve-Moderato-Assai-Tranquillo
Card Game: Second Deal: Alla Breve-Marcia-Var I-V-Coda -Marcia
Card Game: Third Deal: Alla Breve-Valse-Presto-Tempo Del Princip

UPC: 730099547222
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 2.15.94
Format: CD

Alexander Rahbari - Rite of Spring / Card Game (CD)