"When I look back now, it must have been like Paris was at the time of Le Sacre du Printemps"

The quote by David Baker draws a parallel in between a past individual experience and the historical and cultural upheaval that accompanied the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's ballet, "Le Sacre du printemps" (The Rite of Spring) in 1913 Paris. To analyze this, we must understand both the context of the best and what the analogy suggests about Baker's individual experience.

The best of "Le Sacre du printemps" was a turning point in cultural history, understood for its radical departure from standard music and ballet. Debuting at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, the piece is notoriously remembered for inciting a riot amongst the audience. Stravinsky's progressive structure, with its intricate rhythms and dissonant consistencies, coupled with Vaslav Nijinsky's groundbreaking choreography, shattered existing norms and pushed the borders of what was considered acceptable in the arts. The audience's response was polarized-- ranging from shock and outrage to adoration and awe. That evening in Paris wasn't simply an artistic occasion but a societal flashpoint that signified a shift towards modernism.

When Baker reviews a past experience, comparing it to the time of "Le Sacre du printemps", he recommends that the moment was similarly transformative, disruptive, and possibly controversial. It likely included a break from convention, generating a mix of chaos and excitement similar to what was felt in Paris in 1913. This suggests a duration of intense creativity, modification, or perhaps turmoil that challenged the status quo-- whether in individual life, creative endeavors, or cultural context.

Moreover, by conjuring up the atmosphere of that moment in Paris, Baker is highlighting the dual nature of such experiences: the preliminary chaos and discomfort that accompany groundbreaking change, and the ultimate recognition of development's necessity and appeal. This analogy encapsulates how specific experiences, although jarring at the minute, can lead to profound growth and a reevaluation of previously held standards and worths.