Proms on Four: 20th Century Classics - Les Siecles

• Documentary

Episode overview

From the Royal Albert Hall, Tom Service introduces Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, probably the defining work of 20th century music. Conducted by François-Xavier Roth, French orchestra Les Siècles recreate the composer's original version with the period instruments of the ballet's notorious 1913 Paris debut. The rest of the programme traces the roots and shoots of the 20th century avant-garde, going back to the 17th century beginnings of ballet in the baroque of Lully, through Rameau's exotic 18th century Les Indes Galantes and into the late 19th century with Delibes' Coppélia and Massenet's Le Cid, 30 years before the explosion of the Rite.