When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky: Two Artists, Their Ballet, And One Extraordinary Riot

Read Free Books and Download eBooks

The Russian artists Igor Stravinsky and Vaslav Nijinsky were popular in their time: Stravinsky for music, Nijinsky for dance. When their radically new ballet, The Rite of Spring, was first performed in Paris on May 29, 1913, the reaction was so polarized, there were fistfights and riots! Brilliant or disastrous, the performance marked the birth of modern music and dance. Stringer’s rhythmic text and gloriously inventive, color-rich paintings capture the wild and imaginative collaboration of composer and choreographer. The fascinating author note includes photos of the dynamic duo and The Rite of Spring dancers.

Lexile Measure: 760L (What's this?)

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers (March 5, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0547907257

ISBN-13: 978-0547907253

Product Dimensions: 10 x 0.4 x 11 inches

Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #456,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #27 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Music > Classical #29 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Music > History #50 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > European

Age Range: 4 - 7 years

Grade Level: Preschool - 3

At the American Library Association’s mid-winter Conference last month I spotted this new book on the famous Russian composer and choreographer and their collaboration for “The Rite of Spring” in the children’s section and recently got a copy.The author – who wrote both the text and did the colorful illustrations – comes from a musical family. Her husband is a composer and her daughter is a choreographer. (I got this info from the inside back flap of the book jacket.).There are not many words (barely 200) in the core text in this slim 32-page book. The author is trying to point out that both these famous erarly-20th century Russians were pushing the boundaries of “art” in introducing the “new” sounds and dance styles to a new audience in Paris.Two pages at the end of the book are all text and include a “Note from the Author” explaining why she chose the subject (she was at a concert of “the Rite of Spring” and saw a photo of the two Russians), as well as bios of both men. She goes on to explain that the colorful illustrations on the previous pages were inspired by famous art works of the period. There is also a list of "Sources".For someone who wants to introduce their young children to the arts, this could be a good incentive, though I have to admit that it Stravinsky’s music is not the most “accessible” music for children.I hope that you found this review both informative and helpful.Steve Ramm“Anything Phonographic”

The cover of this picture caught my eye due to it's recognizable traits of Stravinsky, Najinsky and the period costumes in the rich illustrations. The drawings are perfect to reflect the dissonance and dynamics of the music. The illustrations are full of movement, energy and balanced structure that make the composition and choreography leap from the pages. This is not an easy task to pull off. Lauren Stringer also has a great ear for rhythm and rhyme. Families who love the arts will enjoy this book as a fun way to introduce their young children to the history of 20th Century art produced by Russians who came to the West. Two major figures were Igor Stravinsky and Vaslav Nijinsky, both of whom were linked to Sergei Diaghilev's Ballet Russes, but later went on to attain greater fame. This book is a great addition to a family's children's book library as it celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first performance of the Rite of Spring at the Theatre des Champs Elysee.I really appreciated the authenticity of the costume illustrations for both the Rite of Spring and Petrushka. This attention to detail is extended to cubist paintings, textiles and stage sets from the short, but rich life of the Ballet Russes which are part of the illustrations. It is clear that Lauren Springer has a love and eye for performance arts and seeks to bring that to young children without compromise. It is clear that a great deal of research and effort went into the creation of this book.My only objection, and the reason I did not rate the book with 5 stars, is that I believe that the story of the Rite of Spring ballet and its creation would have been more appropriate for readers who are a little older. I'm not sure that very young children would find the partnership of two gifted adults, 100 years ago, to be a story to which they can relate. The author has adapted the story to be a universal tale of breaking with tradition and creating something truly new through collaboration and art. This is a fine message, but the talent and vision of Lauren Stringer could have been utilized to tell a more comprehensive story of the culture and uniqueness of this period in music, dance and design. I feel the an opportunity for a more complete book was missed. While the author's notes are informative for adults, I fear that children will be unlikely to ever go back to this book to read them, once they are grown.

This is a great little book. At first it seems advanced for young children, but the story is simple and the illustrations are excellent. This is going to my 4 yr. old grandson. Though his favorite composer is now Mozart, it may change to Stravinsky!

Stravinsky and Nijusky are two different artist with very different visions. When the work together to create a ballet "The Rite of Spring" they aren't sure how it will go over. Opening night is met with mixed reviews. It creates a huge ruckus and music and dance was forever changed. This was the start of the modern dance movement.Great for reading during a lesson on the fine arts!

What a neat way to introduce boys and girls to the classics. This tells the story of the debut of `The Rite of Spring' which resulted in riots and fistfights. The illustrations are colourful and well done, 2nd graders on up could read the text with some help. Younger children enjoy having this read to them and following along. The book is big enough to share on 2 laps.My grandsons enjoyed the fact that Stravinsky wanted LOUD music and it showed them how music changes and not everyone likes it. (We wound up talking about rock and roll and how my parents hated it and I loved it.) Of course it's nice if you have a CD and can play the work for them.There is some higher level trading in the back explaining who Stravinsky and Nijinsky were and about `The Rite of Spring'. It can become an adventure in reading, music and learning something different than is normally the subject of children's books.

Besides the beautifully flowing and whimsical illustrations, this story shares a historical leap in music and dance that is easily understood by our youngest readers. I love how Lauren presents in words and pictures the importance of thinking differently, together.

Love the incorporation of all the arts; music, visual and dance! Illustrations are colorful and beautiful and very well done.

I read this book to my 6th grade music students. It tells the story of Stravinsky's collaboration with Nijinsky with beautiful prose and lovely illustrations. I love it. My students loved it.

When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky: Two Artists, Their Ballet, and One Extraordinary Riot Igor Stravinsky - L'histoire du Soldat: Music Minus One Trumpet No Better Friend: One Man, One Dog, and Their Extraordinary Story of Courage and Survival in WWII I've Never Met An Idiot On The River: Reflections on Family, Photography, and Fly-Fishing Nijinsky: A Life of Genius and Madness Stravinsky and Balanchine: A Journey of Invention I Never Met a Story I Didn't Like: Mostly True Tall Tales Vaslav Nijinsky: A Leap Into Madness The diary of Vaslav Nijinsky, Igor Stravinsky (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) A Coloring Book of Great Composers: Mahler to Stravinsky Freaks I've Met Igor Stravinsky (Critical Lives) Nijinsky's Faune Restored The Diary of Vaslav Nijinsky (Unexpurgated) The Case of the SMILEY FACE KILLERS.: A breed of Serial Killers you have never met before.... They Met At Shiloh: a Civil War Novel (Shiloh Series Book 1) Ballet Beautiful: Transform Your Body and Gain the Strength, Grace, and Focus of a Ballet Dancer The Ballet Companion: A Dancer's Guide to the Technique, Traditions, and Joys of Ballet Ballet 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving the Ballet