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Valery Gergiev

Russian conductor pulls out of New York concerts after supporters of Ukraine protest

Conductor Valery Gergiev, pictured in 2017, has pulled out of a concert series at Carnegie Hall that was scheduled for this weekend. Maxim Shipenkov/AP hide caption

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Maxim Shipenkov/AP

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Russian conductor pulls out of New York concerts after supporters of Ukraine protest

Valery Gergiev, who is closely allied with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, was due to take part in a three-concert series at Carnegie Hall. Also stepping aside is Russian pianist Denis Matsuev.

Valery Gergiev, The Powerful And Polarizing Maestro

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) presents the "Hero of Labour" award to conductor Valery Gergiev, head of the Mariinsky Theatre. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/Getty Images

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Valery Gergiev, The Powerful And Polarizing Maestro

The conductor, slated to perform at the opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics, sparked controversy with his recent comments on Russia's anti-gay legislation. The head of St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre is a friend and ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Valery Gergiev, The Powerful And Polarizing Maestro

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High Notes And Clams: The Best And Worst Of Classical 2013

Sarah Joy Miller as Anna Nicole Smith in Anna Nicole by Mark-Anthony Turnage, the final production from the New York City Opera, which closed its doors for good this fall. Stephanie Berger hide caption

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Stephanie Berger

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High Notes And Clams: The Best And Worst Of Classical 2013

A beloved conductor made a triumphant return, an opera singer took a stand and Walt Disney was reanimated by Philip Glass. It was quite a year in classical music, which also brought the closing of a prominent opera company and the continued silence of a major orchestra.

From Carnegie Hall, A Youth Orchestra That's A National First

Conductor Valery Gergiev leads the National Youth Orchestra through its first rehearsal with the maestro, at Purchase College outside New York City. Chris Lee hide caption

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Chris Lee

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From Carnegie Hall, A Youth Orchestra That's A National First

There are youth orchestras and summer music camps all over the U.S., but Carnegie Hall may have created the best music camp ever. For the past two weeks, some of the country's best teenage musicians have gathered to create the first National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America.

From Carnegie Hall, A Youth Orchestra That's A National First

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Where's Your Awesome 'Rite Of Spring' Video?

Elementary school students in Maplewood, N.J. prepare to enact their own Rite. courtesy of Seth Boyden Demonstration School hide caption

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courtesy of Seth Boyden Demonstration School

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Where's Your Awesome 'Rite Of Spring' Video?

We've gotten some really funny and creative entries so far in our video project celebrating the Rite of Spring centennial. Where's yours? Check out some videos, grab the music and get cracking — you only have until Tuesday, May 28.

Come Dance The 'Rite Of Spring' With Us!

It's fun to stay at the ИМКА: Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring triggered an uproar at its world premiere in Paris a century ago. Now we're asking you to help celebrate the centennial by creating a dance of your own. Keystone-France/Getty Images hide caption

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Keystone-France/Getty Images

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Come Dance The 'Rite Of Spring' With Us!

We're inviting you to create your own video using the last minute of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. Dance it, animate it, improvise it, whatever you like — and then upload your creation to YouTube before May 28th. We'll be featuring some of the best videos on NPR Music in the weeks ahead.

Stravinsky's Most Raging 'Rite Of Spring'

Russian-born US composer Igor Stravinsky in 1955. AFP/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR Classical 50

Stravinsky's Most Raging 'Rite Of Spring'

Conductor Valery Gergiev's powerful, nearly maniacal interpretation of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is a lesson in controlled chaos. He emphasizes the angular savagery in the music, which still has the capacity to shock listeners today.

Ted Libbey & Fred Child Recommend Stravinsky's 'Rite Of Spring'

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