The Rite of Spring decade later. Although designed as a work for the stage, with specific passages accompanying characters and action, the music achieved equal if not greater recognition as a concert piece and is widely considered to be one of the most influential musical works of the 20th century. Stravinsky was a young, virtually unknown composer when Diaghilev recruited him to create works for the Ballets Russes. "The Rite" was the third such project, after the acclaimed "Firebird" (1910) and "Petrushka" (1911). The concept behind "The Rite of Spring", developed by Roerich from Stravinsky's outline idea, is suggested by its subtitle, "Pictures of
The Firebird and Princess Vasilisa The king demanded that he bring him the bird. The huntsman went to his horse, who told him to demand that measures of corn be spread over the fields. He did, and the firebird came to eat and was caught. He brought it to the king, who said that because he had done that, now he must bring him Princess Vasilisa to be his bride. The horse had him demand food and drink for the journey, and a tent with a golden top. With it, they set out to a lake where the princess was rowing. He set up the