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"The most discordant composition ever written.  Never has the cult of the wrong note been applied with such industry, zeal, and ferocity"

First of a 3-part series based on the book "Rites of Spring:  The Great War and the Birth of the  Modern Age" by Modris Ekstiens,  about the evolution of the modernist spirit in Western Europe.  In this episode I discuss the tumultuous 1913 premiere of the ballet "The Rite of Spring",  plus the growth of modernistic Germany prior to WW1.

To explore further:

• Article about the scandalous sculptures on Sydney's GPO 1884 
• Wikipedia article on "The Rite of Spring" ballet
• Video of the 2013 centenary performance of The Rite of Spring 
• Oldest recording of the Rite of Spring
• Article by Graham T Allison on the Thucydides Trap.

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Photo credit:  Joffrey ballet 2013 production of The Rite of Spring, NPR