He arranged eight numbers from the ballet in form of a suite for concert use. When george balanchine chose the nutcracker as new york city ballets first fulllength ballet, it was a decision that surprised many. Page 4 the nutcracker study guide a young persons guide to the ballet program summary program goals and mission the goal of inland pacific ballets educational outreach program is to present ballet to young people in a way that will have an enduring impact on their lives. The music was composed by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky his opus 66. A momentous time for ballet bc, we are thrilled to bring together two of the most influential artists in international dance today. Tchaikovskys the nutcracker has become a beloved holiday classic, especially in the united states, where christmastime presentations of the ballet have become a cherished tradition for performers and audiences alike. That is, for children and for adults who are children at heart.
It was perhaps this mysterious duality that caused obsidian to be given such an important role in symbolic and magical rites among many cultures including our own. The nutcracker, released from an enchanted spell, turns into a handsome prince. In contrast to this special status today, the nutcracker. When identifying note octaves, i use the flute designations, e. Classical notes tchaikovsky swan lake, by peter gutmann. Tchaikovsky wrote the music for the nutcracker ballet in 1891. Classical notes classical classics tchaikovsky swan. The story was based on a childrens fairy tale by e.
Overture march dance of the sugarplum fairy russian dance arabian dance chinese dance dance of the reed pipes waltz of the flowers. The notestream app includes all the notes youll find in the program book as well as images and videos. Cw 32, popularly known as the nutcracker suite, in january and february 1892. Usually, the program format provided information on the composition and a biographical note. Shchelkunchik listen help info is an 1892 twoact ballet fairy ballet. Festival ballet theatres the nutcracker program notes by. The piece is simply called march, or marche in french.
Pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky march from the nutcracker. The nutcracker leads the toy soldiers into battle with the mice, and marie helps him by throwing her slipper at the fierce mouse king, who the nutcracker then slays. This was tchaikovskys last ballet, from which he compiled a. Since 1922, the rochester philharmonic orchestra has demonstrated the power music can have on our community. From balanchines lively choreography and the beautiful sets and costumes to tchaikovskys beloved score performed live by the pennsylvania ballet orchestra, theres so much to love in this joyous ballet. The original story is a rich and subtly humorous story for children while offering irony and literary allusions that only adults would understand. Program notes for upcoming concerts will be posted here a minimum of one week prior to the concert. George balanchines the nutcracker archives pa ballet. The amount of work pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky was juggling while he simultaneously labored to complete his last ballet, the nutcracker, and subsequently the compilation which was to become popularly known as the nutcracker suite would amaze us today. As such, it probably needs no introduction but its going. The original scenario was conceived by ivan vsevolozhsky, and is based on charles.
Tchaikovskys swan lake ballet is explored with a synopsis of the basic story, from the perspective of ballet before tchaikovsky, its genesis and initial failure, its revival and ultimate triumph, its acclaimed music. The program for the first movement and the music of the symphony as a whole suggest a somewhat philosophical acceptance of his nature, coming by the finale to the realization of some peace of mind. The nutcracker is universally popular, and probably the bestknown of all music. We encourage you to use the ballet idaho study guide before and after the performance to explore movement and dance, learn about ballet, and discover what happens behind the scenes of a ballet production. Music program notes for band and wind ensemble music. This study guide includes resources to prepare children for the performance. This lively march marche is taken from the famous ballet the nutcracker by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. When midnight strikes on a chilly, frostdusted christmas eve, clara and her enchanted nutcracker prince are whisked away to a magical world of toy soldiers, mice. Another famous ballet with recognizable melodies is swan lake. The nutcracker ballet is one of tchaikovskys most enchanting works. Print instantly, or sync to our free pc, web and mobile apps.
It was the only one of his three ballet suites to have been compiled an published during the composers lifetime. Cw 14, is a fairy ballet in 2 acts and 3 scenes, written and orchestrated by tchaikovsky between february 1891 and april 1892. Hosted by spacs action council, the nutcracker tea is one of the premier holiday events in the capital region, featuring excerpts of the nutcracker performed by the northeast ballet company. Marie is upset and begs to be allowed to care for the nutcracker. Toledo ballets nutcracker comes to life with exquisite dancing, breathtaking scenery, and tchaikovskys beloved score performed live by alain trudel and the toledo symphony. The production is sumptuous, the children entrancing, the music superbly played, the sets and costumes gorgeous. If people have not seen or heard of another ballet, they certainly. Nutcracker sweets is an arrangement for soloist of five of the most popular movements from tchaikovskys beloved nutcracker ballet suite. The last of his three ballets, it was first performed in december 1892. The amount of work pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky was juggling while he simultaneously labored to complete his last ballet, the nutcracker, and subsequently the compilation which was to become popularly known as the nutcracker suite would amaze us today as much as it overwhelmed the composer himself.
Dec 14, 2019 toledo ballets nutcracker comes to life with exquisite dancing, breathtaking scenery, and tchaikovskys beloved score performed live by alain trudel and the toledo symphony. In the celestas ethereal notes, tchaikovsky recognized the voice of his sugar plum fairy, and he immediately wrote to his publisher, asking that the instrument be acquired for the performance. With the nutcracker, he referred back to the original hoffman tale, adding herr drosselmeiers nephew, the keyhole scene. The synopsis nycb new york city ballet official site. Hoffman, is given a nutcracker doll with the appearance of a prince, by her godfather and a magician, drosselmeyer, at a christmas party. Tchaikovsky compiled his suite from the ballet the nutcracker, op. Tchaikovskys nutcracker, the story of a young girls journey to a magical land on christmas eve, is perhaps not only the composers most famous work but also one of the most famous ballets of all time. As such, it probably needs no introduction but its going to get one anyway. The nutcracker ballet and suite tchaikovskys magical music. George balanchines the nutcracker tv spot 2019 youtube.
Nutcracker study guide, 2012 salt creek ballet page 6 the nutcracker the chance to run him through with his sword. Oc tech startup notestream has partnered with pacific symphony to bring you digital program notes in an easytoread format via an app for your iphone or ipad. Spyashaya krasavitsa is a ballet in a prologue and three acts, first performed in 1890. It has endured for more than years, largely due to peter ilyich tchaikovskys score which i consider one of his greatest achievements. Each instrument helps add to the story of the nutcracker, representing diff erent characters from the ballet.
Program notes the nutcracker at our theater is for children young and old. Oct 31, 2018 tonights program offers a familiar musical work in a somewhat unconventional context. Program notes when george balanchine chose the nutcracker as new york city ballets first fulllength ballet, it was a decision that surprised many. This march is one of the most famous melodies of the ballet. Program notes on march from the nutcracker by tchaikovsky. The nutcracker is often performed during the christmas season due to its content, and many families make it an annual tradition to attend a performance. This version included a nefarious godfather, horrific battle scenes between toy soldiers and rats, and indifferent, neglectful parents. The rpo relies on ticket sales and donations to bring music to our community. George balanchines the nutcracker program notes pa ballet. Because, if an adult is a good person, in his heart he is still a child.
Digital program notes oc tech startup notestream has partnered with pacific symphony to bring you digital program notes in an easytoread format via an app for your iphone or ipad. The nutcracker suite whats happening 12 december 2017 the amount of work pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky was juggling while he simultaneously labored to complete his last ballet, the nutcracker, and subsequently the compilation which was to become popularly known as the nutcracker suite would amaze us today as much as it overwhelmed. Festival ballet theatres the nutcracker december 1224, 2015. Today the story of the young clara, her love for her ugly nutcracker, the growing christmas tree, the battle between the toys and mice, claras role in the release of the enchanted prince from his spell, and the journey through the snow to the kingdom of sweets where the sugar plum fairy reigns as queen, has become famous through live ballet performances, tv, film, cartoons, books, websites, and toys. Houses are decked with holiday decorations and lit up with festive twinkling lights. Swan lake is, without question, one of the great romantic ballets in the ballet repertoire. In addition to handels messiah, another work that has become a staple of holiday fare is tchaikovskys nutcracker. Hoffman, the nutcracker and the mouse king follows the story of marie on christmas eve. After midnight, with nearly everyone asleep, the doll transforms into the prince it had formerly been, and clara aids him in defeating the mouse king who had threatened to take over the house. Choose from the nutcracker sheet music for such popular songs as dance of the sugar plum fairy, waltz of the flowers, and march from the nutcracker.
The actual title of the piece is march, but most people refer to. The nutcracker has become the most popular ballet performed at christmas, appealing to children and adults alike. Tonights program offers a familiar musical work in a somewhat unconventional context. The twoact ballet is based on the book the nutcracker and the mouse king, by e. Tchaikovsky s nutcracker, the story of a young girls journey to a magical land on christmas eve, is perhaps not only the composers most famous work but also one of the most famous ballets of all time. Overture, waltz of the flowers, march, arabian dance, and trepak. The amount of work pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky was juggling while he simultaneously labored to complete his last ballet, the nutcracker, and subseque. The nutcracker tells a story about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on christmas eve and wages a battle against the evil mouse king. As she and her siblings are passing the nutcracker around and cracking nuts, its jaw breaks. Green is an expert on classical music and music history, with more than 10 years of both solo and ensemble performance experience. The march, from the nutcracker, is one of the most wellknown and recognized melodies of tchaikovskys famous ballet.
For example, an instrument called a ratchet makes the nutcrackers sound, while the tambourine helps make the dancing dolls come to life. However, instead of calling it, the march from the nutcracker, most take the more direct route of saying, the nutcracker march, or even the march of the nutcracker those vaguely familiar with the story of the nutcracker may be. The nutcracker features many percussion instruments throughout the diff erent dances. George balanchines the nutcracker program notes in 1816, e. Written for the russian imperial ballet, it was first performed in 1892. Hoffman published the nutcracker and the mouse king, a sinister fairytale intended for adults. Tchaikovsky wrote the music for the nutcracker ballet casse noisette in 1891 and arranged eight numbers from it to form a concert suite. The magical music evokes a nostalgic christmas atmosphere. Now that the mouse king is dead, an ancient spell has been broken, and the nutcracker is transformed into a. The first movement opens with a motto theme that might be identified with providence, if only because it is somewhat less assertive than the.
Tchaikovskys nutcracker is one of the piccolo players bread and butter works the following material outlines some performance and fingering suggestions, as well as note errata for the reduced orchestra edition of that piece. The nutcracker features many percussion instruments throughout the different dances. To close we offer the much anticipated return of the mesmerizing and provocative bill by. She is nominated as the nutcrackers special caretaker. Popular romantic composer of 6 symphones and some of the world most performed ballets including swan lake, the nutcracker and sleeping beauty. This score is an arrangement for easy violin with piano accompaniment. Now that the mouse king is dead, an ancient spell has been broken, and the nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince.
The notestream app includes all the notes youll find in the program book as. This is an index, ordered by composer, of the program notes and biographies generated for use in programs for performances of the foothill symphonic winds. For example, a ratchet makes the nutcrackers sound, while the tambourine helps make the dancing dolls come to life. History of the nutcracker pacific northwest ballet. Tchaikovsky nutcracker suite program notes lansdowne so. Each instrument helps add to the story of the nutcracker, representing different characters from the ballet.