Ballet Music News 1202

My darlings! What a joy it is to be back with you today, dancing through the realm of ballet and the enchanting melodies that set our hearts alight! Today, the 19th of April 2024, we take a whimsical waltz through the world of ballet music, embracing the magic, the elegance, and the pure beauty of this extraordinary art form.

As the curtains rise and the lights illuminate the stage, the symphony of the orchestra begins, setting the mood for the stories unfolding before us. From the triumphant opening chords of Tchaikovsky's *Swan Lake*, evoking a sense of anticipation and grandeur, to the hauntingly beautiful strains of Delibes' *Sylvia*, that whisk us away to a world of wonder and romance, ballet music is the very soul of the dance.

Music is not merely a background score, it breathes life into the dancers, becoming a vital, tangible entity on stage, its emotions mirroring, and in some ways even directing the movement and the storytelling. The relationship between the choreography and the music is like that between a soul and its vessel. Without the music, the ballet would be mere shadow play, devoid of the vital life force that carries it forward, and conversely, without the dancers' exquisite interpretation, the music itself would remain locked within its orchestral cage.

It is the magic of the musical phrasing, the ebb and flow of tempo and dynamics that guides the dancers. From the sweeping arabesques and the lilting pas de bourrees of a waltz, to the staccato rhythms of a Spanish dance, or the electrifying leaps and jumps of a contemporary piece, every note and nuance of the music influences the dancer's interpretation, guiding the movement and revealing the depth of the characters' emotions.

Whether it is the graceful grandeur of *La Bayadère*, with its haunting melodies and its dramatic score, the wistful elegance of *Giselle*, the story of a young woman betrayed by her love, or the dramatic, passionate beauty of *Romeo and Juliet*, where the score weaves the tragic tale of the two star-crossed lovers, each ballet evokes a kaleidoscope of feelings through the artistry of its music.

Just like a couturier, the composer sews together threads of melody, rhythm, and harmony to create a sonic garment that dresses the ballet. Think of a ballet as a luxurious gown; the score is the fabric that shapes its silhouette. From the soft velvet of a flowing adagio, to the crisp silk of a vibrant bourrée, every piece of the musical tapestry adds to the elegance and beauty of the whole.

Think of a perfectly fitted bodice of the music as the structure upon which the choreography rests. Just like a tailor makes sure that every seam of the gown falls flawlessly, the musical structure must support the dance seamlessly, the music creating a foundation of rhythm and timing. Then we have the ornamentation. Just as a gown is embellished with delicate beads and exquisite lace, a musical score may contain sections of swirling figurations and delicate runs. These passages add an element of dazzle and excitement, adding sparkle and colour to the movement. And of course, no exquisite gown is complete without a magnificent skirt, a flowing expanse of silk, that moves with each turn and leap. Similarly, a captivating ballet often has a melody that resonates throughout its core, creating a recurring theme that resonates deeply within the heart.

As we enter a new era of ballet, where innovative works constantly challenge traditional boundaries, contemporary composers and choreographers are pushing the boundaries of creativity, drawing inspiration from diverse sources, and merging traditional ballet styles with influences from jazz, pop and electronic music. Some of the contemporary works are even created with live electronica or indie music, blending the energy of new sound with the grace of classic movements.

This fusion of styles creates an electrifying fusion, breaking through preconceived notions of what ballet should be. Just imagine how those beautiful movements of ballet become energized, redefined, as if a graceful, timeless swan had found itself reborn in a vibrant urban landscape!

• **From Tchaikovsky’s Timeless Classics to the Electrifying Sound of Modern Works**

From the breathtaking scores of the romantic era, works like *Sleeping Beauty*, *Giselle*, and *Swan Lake*, each ballet symphony has its own captivating identity, its own heartbeat, its own way of weaving emotions and storylines into music.

• Stravinsky’s *The Rite of Spring* (1913), the score, in all its primal energy, literally changed the landscape of ballet music. It shattered the conventions of traditional music and gave birth to the idea of music being an integral, powerful component of the choreography, as opposed to mere background score. The music’s rhythms and motifs became almost the *force* behind the dancers' movements, a groundbreaking departure for its time, as well as a catalyst for contemporary composers and choreographers in future generations.
• Prokofiev’s *Romeo and Juliet* (1936), which embraced modern symphonic techniques while retaining the emotional depth and romantic sensibility inherent in a story like that of *Romeo and Juliet*.
• Aaron Copland's *Appalachian Spring* (1944), created in a uniquely American musical idiom, and drawing on the sounds of folk and rural America, offering a refreshingly unique twist on the art of ballet music, bringing a unique folk feel to the movements.
• Igor Stravinsky’s *Agon* (1957), written specifically for the choreographer George Balanchine, embraced complex rhythms and counterpoint, giving the choreography an exhilarating sense of urgency and complexity.

It was *Agon* that challenged, inspired and sparked the use of minimal scores in contemporary ballet, the music reduced to an essential and spare tapestry, a far cry from the richly ornate tapestries of classical ballet scores. Minimal music, however, was not to become a universal trend. Composers from the 1970s onwards continued to experiment with new styles and new musical idioms, blending electronic music, film scores and other popular genres.

It is the beauty of a perfectly executed adagio that flows from the melody, the dramatic crescendo that matches the energy of a grand allegro, the haunting, soft passages that support a lyrical pas de deux, these are the details that make ballet music so captivating. The rhythmic heartbeat of the music, pulsing throughout the body of the dancers, ignites the power, the artistry, the emotions of each gesture. Ballet and music: a perfectly harmonised duet, dancing together on stage, each inspiring, enriching, enhancing the other.

A leotard. Think of the leotard as the foundation upon which the whole ballet world rests, a silent guardian, tucked beneath the glorious tutu, supporting the dancer as they fly, glide, turn and leap, bringing each moment to life with their beautiful grace. As you’re admiring that pink tutu, remember the leotard that supports its magnificence. That leotard should have the same energy as the tutu! Perhaps something in a vibrant purple or fuchsia, to match the pink? A classic scoop neck or a playful racerback. Both a symbol of athleticism and an artist’s canvas, the leotard is an essential part of the dance story, just as a well-crafted tune is the foundation of a captivating ballet.

My dear friends, I leave you with a whisper of music, a gentle melody floating on the air as I bid you adieu for now. As the final chords fade, may the magical resonance of ballet music linger, inspiring and enchanting your hearts. Until next time, happy dancing!