The Rite of Spring solo piano transcription (“Spring Rounds” section)
From 100 Years of Spring
performance in Lancaster PA, July 2012
Video by Vinnie the Video Guy, Vincent Mineo.
Pianist & composer Neil Alexander honors the centennial of the premier of Igor Stravinsky’s Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) with the “100 Years of Spring” concert tour, featuring his transcription of the work for solo piano.
Neil first received a copy of Stravinsky’s 4-hand rehearsal score in 1983 and performed the piece with other pianists between 1983 and 1995. The long process of condensing the piece for solo performance took place during this time. “My goal in creating a 2-hand arrangement is to bring the orchestral experience of the piece to the listener,” says Neil. “The piano lets you get inside the work, makes it more personal while exposing the brilliant harmony.” The first performance of the completed solo arrangement premiered in 2002 at the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, NY.
In addition to featuring Neil’s solo acoustic piano arrangement of Le Sacre, the “100 Years of Spring” program includes works by Gershwin, Bartok, and excerpts from his new solo piano CD Darn That Dream: Solo Piano Vol. 1.
Look for a video posting of the complete performance soon.
Neil Alexander e-mail: 100years@nailmusic.com
Website: 100yearsofspring.org
