Minneapolis-based jazz trio The Bad Plus has been commissioned by Duke University Performances and New York’s Lincoln Center to perform its own unique arrangement of Igor Stravinsky’s iconic work “The Rite of Spring” (“Le sacre du printemps”). The trio will present its world premiere of the piece, dubbed “On Sacred Ground: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring,” on Saturday, March 26 at 8PM at Reynolds Theater in the Bryan Center at Duke University. The performance will be accompanied by a multimedia presentation by filmmakers Christina Galvin and Noah Hutton.

Inspiration for the project spawned out of the band member’s collective minds with a goal to transform the groundbreaking orchestral work into a format adaptable for a trio. The group has previously arranged and performed Stravinsky’s “Variation d’Apollon” in addition to works by Ligeti, Nirvana, Wilco and Pink Floyd.

In addition, The Bad Plus has also recently engaged in artist-in-residence activities both on the Duke campus and within the surrounding community. The project aims to help graduate composition students in their studies and will culminate in The Bad Plus performing and recording student compositions.