On The Rite of Spring jazz flute great Hubert Laws interprets themes by classical composers Debussy, Bach, Faure, and Stravinsky. It's a pretty tough album to classify, since it doesn't really provide a great deal of swing and is not, of course, a strict interpretation of the classical tunes. It has lots of musical substance, though, underscoring CTI's success with the classical/jazz format (Jim Halls Concierto, for example) and is ultimately a very relaxing and fulfilling album, albeit not one for those looking for a straightforward blowing session.

"Pavane", the album's opener, combines Faure's theme with the lush romanticism of pianist Bill Evans' previous recording of the same tune. Laws plays the theme beautifully, and the arrangement also emphasizes the work of guitarists Gene Bertoncini and Stuart Scharf as well as a bassoon trio (a first for jazz arrangements, I'm sure). Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" is given a tour-de-force arrangement by Don Sebesky and retains much of the primitive violence and passion of the original orchestral piece. The Debussy flute solo "Syrinx" becomes a great vehicle for Laws, who is double-tracked in a Conversations with Myself style duet. The two movements of Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 3" are a bit prone to the typical "swing the classics" mentality that can mar this type of album, but the arrangement's emphasis on counterpoint and some deft performances help carry the day. Not exactly a jazz nor a fusion album, Rite of Spring is a pleasant listen nonetheless.