Oh, darling, gather âround! Itâs 20th June, the day for ballet music. For us dance aficionados, this is the date to luxuriate in the rich sonic world of tutus and tiaras. Itâs time to raise our wine glasses to the intoxicating sounds of the grand waltz, the whimsical pirouettes, and the heartbreaking sorrow of a broken heart. What else would I be discussing but the divine soundtrack to my life: ballet music.
Don't you feel it? A flutter of excitement at the very thought. Weâre transported to the world of romantic heroes and heroines, where a sweeping flourish of the orchestra's strings can paint a scene of joyous abandon, or plunge us into the depths of despair. Just the right score can have you jumping and twirling with joy, then drowning your sorrows in a box of chocolates while Chopin's melancholy piano lingers. And when it's time to channel your inner warrior and power your pliĂ©s and pirouettes? Why, itâs time for some bold and bombastic Tchaikovsky, or the soaring melodies of Prokofiev. But why settle for just the music? When we can indulge our imaginations, dressing ourselves, our studios and homes with a touch of ballet flair!
We must acknowledge the fashion side of things, right? I adore a pink tutu - its wispy skirt and feminine flourish is an iconic ballet symbol. You wouldn't think it, but ballet is really all about getting that fabulous fit. So today, itâs a new ballet leotard that deserves a place of honor in my wardrobe. Not just any leotard, my lovelies. Think midnight blue silk, embroidered with delicate silver flowers. Think a leotard that is daring enough to make an elegant statement with a bold colour, yet so perfectly simple and elegant. Oh, it must match the pink tutu with matching rose-gold sparkly tights and a tiny gold chain to top off this fabulous ballet look.
I canât have this gorgeous outfit and only look at a ballerina. Letâs indulge in this ballet obsession by exploring the wonderful world of ballet music. Shall we? Let's step on to this magical stage:
**From Tchaikovsky to Stravinsky: Exploring the Ballet Score**
To even a casual observer, it is obvious ballet and music are inextricably intertwined. Every step, every pose, every dramatic moment is punctuated by a score, which elevates the experience beyond the physicality and visual to the deeply emotional.
We simply canât talk about ballet music without mentioning the towering figure of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the maestro who elevated the genre. He set the stage ablaze with some of balletâs most iconic and stirring compositions. "Swan Lake" â with its themes of love, loss and sacrifice â becomes almost unbearable to hear without picturing the tragic and doomed love of Odette and Prince Siegfried. But this genius isnât limited to romantic tragedy: Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" has its iconic march and dances and brings the festive magic to life in the theatre. From the grandeur of the Waltz of the Flowers, to the whimsy of the Sugarplum Fairyâs variations, this work truly brings Christmas alive. The waltzes are still a staple in popular music, but listening to them while looking at photos and sketches of this ballets choreography truly brings you a whole new appreciation for how the music and the ballet flow together. It's no surprise that his other masterpieces, "Sleeping Beauty" and "The Seasons" - also enchant with their melodies, showcasing a variety of musical forms from grand marches to tender waltzes.
We must mention Igor Stravinsky, an absolute titan of innovation who boldly broke musical barriers. Stravinsky shook the foundations of ballet music, offering a more rhythmic and percussive approach, capturing the spirit of ritualistic storytelling. The raw energy of his masterpiece "The Rite of Spring" challenged audiences in 1913, and remains electrifying today.
From these two giants, and their legacies of magnificent, haunting, and sometimes quite surprising music, the ballet music genre developed and embraced new ideas.
**A Spectrum of Emotion: Ballet Music as the Art of Storytelling**
For those with ears that listen deeply, itâs amazing how just the music, by itself, can transport the listener to an imaginative space. Just like a book, a great ballet score can give us characters, plot, conflict and resolution. But ballet music goes even further. The emotions evoked can feel incredibly visceral â the soaring highs, the wrenching lows, all amplified by the delicate beauty of the dancer's movements.
The power of a ballet score lies in its ability to shape an emotional landscape for the audience. Imagine the shimmering grace of the "White Swan" variations from "Swan Lake." A cascade of violins mirrors the swansâ fragile elegance and fragility as they dance across the stage. The tender sweetness of the "Rose Adagio" in "Sleeping Beauty" creates a magical ambiance of innocent first love. Itâs no surprise the composer, Tchaikovsky, even incorporated musical phrases from "Swan Lake" to reflect the "White Swan" variations for this composition, demonstrating the universal nature of music to express certain feelings.
And just as every human emotion is unique, each dancer can put their own individual and unique spin on a musical moment and make it their own.
**Beyond the Classics: Ballet Music Today**
But just as every era in fashion develops new styles, we see these same dynamics in ballet and the music that fuels it. Don't you think itâs time to push back against those limiting classical genres?
The 21st century saw a fascinating fusion of classical and contemporary music in ballet. The modern ballets of this era brought fresh sounds and a re-energized interpretation to the genre, pushing the boundaries of choreography, and giving us completely new ideas about how ballet could look.
This new, bold generation of contemporary ballet music brings the passion of the dance and it's emotional impact to a wider audience:
- Imagine the vibrant, percussive soundtrack to âIn the Skin of a Lion,â composed by Philip Glass - its rhythmic, propulsive score perfectly captures the drama of the story.
- Or how about the haunting, evocative melodies of Max Richterâs âThe Dreamâ used for choreographer Wayne McGregorâs breathtaking ballet.
- Even rock stars are taking a shot at ballet - Take a listen to âRomeo and Juliet,â choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, with the driving rhythms of Prokofiev.
**Ballet and Music: A Partnership Built on Passion and Grace**
On the one hand, ballet demands the exquisite and demanding precision of a dancerâs technique and form, their dedication, training and hard work are essential. And while you see their dedication to this specific artform when you watch them in the theatre, we see them through the music that supports and reflects every step and gesture. Ballet music not only enhances but completes the artistry.
Think of music as a silent partner in this passionate union between music and dance, and a partnership where they each play equal roles. A great dance can elevate great music, and great music can bring a new level of emotion to a dancerâs artistry.
Itâs like magic, truly.
And on that note, darling, let's continue to immerse ourselves in this captivating world. Today, put on some of your favourite ballet music, take a whirl on your own personal dance floor, and see where the music takes you. Happy dancing and, oh darling, keep moving!