Ritual of the Two Rival Tribes by Stravinsky
Series
Part I: L'Adoration de la Terre (Adoration of the Earth)
Ritual of the Two Rival Tribes & Procession of the Oldest and Wisest
72" x 48" x 2
Acrylic + oil on Canvas DipTych
Listen
Listen from 11:41 to 13:27
Procession of the Oldest and Wisest by Stravinsky
Listen from 13:28 to 14:02
With Permission: 2013 Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Recorded live in Roy Thompson Hall, December 4 & 6, 2008 www.tso.ca
Ritual of the Two Rival Tribes (left) and Procession of the Oldest and Wisest (right): contention resolves into ceremony as driving triangles give way to layered ostinati, culminating in the Sage’s blessing.
Ritual of the Two Rival Tribes (left)
The people split, and the ground seems to divide with them. Energy drives in opposing currents. Prismatic triangles rush toward the center seam; vectors collide and ricochet like stamped beats—propulsion made visible. Structure forms and is overrun, as if polyphonic lines had become planes. This is contested ground—angular, urgent—where rhythm is force and the pattern that holds decides the moment.
Movement context: LA Phil program note.
Procession of the Oldest and Wisest (right)
The tumult thins. From the far edge, planes taper into order and a faceted elder resolves from the geometry—cloak, hood, and staff implied by angled bands. Repetition lengthens into phrase; the palette deepens and tones settle. At center, the Sage gathers authority without noise. The games pause; the earth receives a blessing. Layered triangles build a measured lattice, turning clamor into rite.
Ceremonial synopsis: Boosey & Hawkes (work page)
Ritual of the Two Rival Tribes (left)
The people split, and the ground seems to divide with them. Energy drives in opposing currents. Prismatic triangles rush toward the center seam; vectors collide and ricochet like stamped beats—propulsion made visible. Structure forms and is overrun, as if polyphonic lines had become planes. This is contested ground—angular, urgent—where rhythm is force and the pattern that holds decides the moment.
Movement context: LA Phil program note.
Procession of the Oldest and Wisest (right)
The tumult thins. From the far edge, planes taper into order and a faceted elder resolves from the geometry—cloak, hood, and staff implied by angled bands. Repetition lengthens into phrase; the palette deepens and tones settle. At center, the Sage gathers authority without noise. The games pause; the earth receives a blessing. Layered triangles build a measured lattice, turning clamor into rite.
Ceremonial synopsis: Boosey & Hawkes (work page)
Listen to the TSO's full 2013 performance of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring:
