Stravinsky (The Rites of Spring)
Composed in 1913.
From the corridors of a dream
music rose through trapdoors
a pagan dissonance
something unsettling unforgiving.
No soft tune no melody nothing to tap out
nothing harmonious
instead an instrument stampede
an earthy staccato clamour.
The choreographer roars
calls out numbers deflects the dancers
who stamp as if their feet were burnt
to the clashing of strings and horns.
Chords rival instruments crowd in
dancers circle divide as sound swells
every clang erupting in sinuous splendour.