Almost no musical work has had such a powerful influence or evoked as much controversy as Igor Stravinsky's ballet score of “The Rite of Spring”, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2013. The work's premiere on May 29, 1913, at the Théatre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, was scandalous. In addition to the outrageous costumes, unusual choreography and bizarre story of pagan sacrifice, Stravinsky's musical innovations tested the patience of the audience to the fullest. From its infamous premiere, it has had a tremendous impact on music ever since. Why did the “rite” cause a riot on its debut? Was it Nijinsky's appalling production or musical innovation so primitive and shocking? Elliott Carter, an American composer who died on November 5 2012 at the age of 103, said that hearing The Rite of Spring in the 1920s was what made him want to become a composer: "It was a scandal. Everybody walked out of the hall and people were terrified. Maybe that's why I liked it but in any case I became a fan of modern music in very early adolescence." In today's world, what is shocking to us? Or have we become completely numb? Can we provide new rites for a modern city? Programme: 26 Nov (Mon) 6pm: Opening Performance: Leung Tak Wing (Opening of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring); Anonymous Quartet + Igor Yuzefovich (Shostakovich: Piano Quintet, with live visuals) 7pm: Reception. HKNME (Andriessen: Workers Union) 27 Nov (Tues) 7pm: Angela Hodgins (Berio: Sequenza III for woman's voice), Leung Chi Shing ( Berio: Sequenza IXa for clarinet) 28 Nov (Wed) 7pm: Forum. (In English) "Are We Too Easily Shocked?" 8pm: Jacky Leung (Berio: Sequenza IXb for alto saxophone), Ben Pelletier (Berio: Sequenza V for trombone) 29 Nov (Thur) 7pm: William Lane (Berio: Sequenza VI for viola), James Cuddeford ( Berio: Sequenza VIII for violin) 30 Nov (Fri) 7pm Closing Reception: Piano Marathon on... (Sequenza IV for piano); HKNME (Reich: Violin Phase)