The Rite of Spring
The Bad Plus · 2014
39 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A bold jazz reinterpretation of Stravinsky's classic, blending intricate rhythms with avant-garde improvisation.
Top tracks — play these first
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First Part: Adoration of the Earth: The Augurs of Spring — The track's dynamic interplay between rhythm and melody encapsulates the spirit of Stravinsky’s original while infusing it with a contemporary jazz sensibility.
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First Part: Adoration of the Earth: Ritual of Abduction — This brief yet powerful section showcases the band's ability to convey tension and drama through minimalist instrumentation, emphasizing their unique interpretation.
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Second Part: The Sacrifice: Sacrificial Dance — As a climactic piece on the album, it captures the frenetic energy and emotional weight of Stravinsky’s composition, highlighting the band's technical prowess and improvisational skills.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album innovatively reinterprets a classic while maintaining strong cohesion and distinctiveness in its execution.
What we noticed
- The album consists of eleven tracks that are structured as two distinct parts, mirroring the original composition's division.
- The final track culminates in an intense climax, leaving listeners with a sense of resolution after the preceding chaos.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intricate rhythms with spontaneous energy
- immersive listening for focused moments
- dynamic shifts in emotional intensity
- short bursts of intense expression
Maybe skip if you
- prefer predictable song structures
- want straightforward melodic lines
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Rite of Spring marked The Bad Plus's return to the studio after a brief hiatus and significant lineup changes. Released in 2014, this album showcases their commitment to pushing jazz boundaries while paying homage to classical music traditions, continuing their exploration of eclectic influences that began with their earlier works.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Brad Mehldau· Hiatus Kaiyote· Tigran Hamasyan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 First Part: Adoration of the Earth: Introduction 5:06
- 2 First Part: Adoration of the Earth: The Augurs of Spring 3:30
- 3 First Part: Adoration of the Earth: Ritual of Abduction 1:23
- 4 First Part: Adoration of the Earth: Spring Rounds 4:52
- 5 First Part: Adoration of the Earth: Games of the Two Rival Tribes / Procession of the Sage 3:04
- 6 First Part: Adoration of the Earth: The Sage / Dance of the Earth 1:48
- 7 Second Part: The Sacrifice: Introduction 4:00
- 8 Second Part: The Sacrifice: Mystic Circle of the Young Girls 3:02
- 9 Second Part: The Sacrifice: Glorification of the Chosen One 1:43
- 10 Second Part: The Sacrifice: Evocation of the Ancestors / Ritual Action of the Ancestors 5:33
- 11 Second Part: The Sacrifice: Sacrificial Dance 5:22
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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