It’s 100 years since Stravinsky’s seminal The Rite of Spring was infamously premiered by Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes to the tune of audience rioting. As expected, 2013 see a number of performances in celebration of the revolutionary masterpiece and its continuing influence today.

Taking a fresh approach to the anniversary are music synthesist Jay Bacal and music animator Stephen Malinowski, who have collaborated to create an animated, graphical score to help make sense of the still challenging work. The animation, which can be accessed via YouTube, provides clarity for non-musicians by letting ‘your eyes lead your ears’, according to Malinowski - allowing viewers to trace the work’s structure and lines of orchestration visually while listening to the music.

Watch 'Part 1: The Adoration of the Earth' from The Rite of Spring below:

Malinowski has created music animations for more than 200 pieces of music, including live animation synchronised to performances by symphony orchestra, chamber music groups and soloists, and for singer Björk.