The Rite of Spring

A work infamously greeted at its premiere by a full-blown riot can still shock listeners to this day. Stravinsky’s angular harmonies and syncopated rhythms in The Rite of Spring evoke prehistoric humans worshiping the earth and providing virgin sacrifices, which naturally was met with some disdain by the Paris elite in 1913. Even amidst the jaw-dropping nature of Stravinsky’s work, this innovative classic is not to be missed.

Lili Boulanger’s very different depiction of spring opens the program with flowing, vibrant melodies, followed by the Pittsburgh Symphony debut of German pianist, Alice Sara Ott, with Grieg's Piano Concerto.

This season, we're showcasing three themes: Voices of Today, Made in Pittsburgh, and Follow the Piano. Each highlights a series of concerts carefully crafted to showcase art with meaning and purpose for our community. This specific concert highlights Follow the Piano,  "88 Keys for Pittsburgh." The long-awaited new Steinway concert piano has arrived at Heinz Hall, and we invite you to follow these “88 Keys for Pittsburgh” together with 10 of the most admired pianists in the world.