Ah, the music. The music that moves us, that inspires us, that makes us believe in magic, and, dare I say, that even helps us get through our Mondays. Today, March 31st, 2024, is a day to celebrate the beating heart of ballet - the music that makes it sing. Yes, darling, today is a day for the most sublime melodies, for the most dramatic crescendos, and the most delicate pizzicatos. For the waltzes that lift us to another dimension, for the pirouettes set to thrilling violin trills, for the chaconne that steals our breath away.
And we're not just talking about the classical giants like Tchaikovsky or Stravinsky, although darling, those will always be our favourites. No, today we celebrate the whole spectrum, the glorious, breathtaking spectrum of musical artistry that dances alongside the world's most elegant art form.
From the soaring beauty of "Swan Lake" to the playful wit of "La Sylphide", from the tempestuous drama of "Romeo and Juliet" to the gentle melancholy of "Giselle", we will find a masterpiece in every musical phrase.
What's the music that comes to mind when you think of ballet? A sweeping waltz, a soaring adagio, a rousing allegro? Perhaps it's the mournful strings of a death scene or the exhilarating thrumming of the orchestra at the grand finale. We each have our own little personal soundtrack, don't we? It's what makes the magic work, what allows the dance to speak directly to our hearts.
And just like the artistry of a beautiful ballet, musical selection plays an essential role in shaping the narrative, showcasing the dancer's technical prowess, and evoking emotions ranging from pure joy to soul-crushing sorrow.
Take "The Sleeping Beauty," for instance. This magical ballet is almost as much a fairy tale of music as it is of dance. From the enchanting opening melodies of "Aurora's Birthday" to the waltzing drama of the Lilac Fairy, each note helps build the atmosphere and create a world we yearn to escape to.
And while some might be mesmerised by the dancing itself, for me, the true magic starts with the music. It's the spark, the ignition, the element that sets the whole thing on fire, you see. Because darling, the music isn't just a backdrop to the ballet, it's a living, breathing creature that shapes every movement, every gesture, every nuance.
Don't forget the choreography, dear. The exquisite harmony between the music and the movement, the subtle interplay that only true dance lovers truly grasp. That's what makes it art, that's what takes us from mere performance to the realm of sublime beauty, pure magic.
Speaking of harmony, just think about how the right leotard can be so perfectly paired with a dancer’s vibrant tutu. I can imagine a ballerina in a pink tulle tutu with a matching pale pink leotard, one with elegant lines and delicate straps, all accentuated by her gracefully fluid movements and expressions of emotions conveyed through her artistry.
A few examples of exquisite and iconic musical scores in ballet:
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- The ballet music that we think of as the ‘quintessential ballet’, of course – 'Swan Lake’
- The heartbreaking, gorgeous tragedy 'Romeo and Juliet’
- A fairytale that seems almost as much a masterpiece of music as dance – 'The Sleeping Beauty’
- Igor Stravinsky
- A wild, brilliant, rhythmic explosion – ‘The Rite of Spring’
- More ballets of Stravinsky but not just ballets - they’re more like collaborations – 'Apollon Musagete' and ‘Pulcinella'
- Sergei Prokofiev
- Full of the music of passion, danger and darkness – 'Romeo and Juliet’ (again but so much differently)
- Not so easy to classify, an odd one out this ballet, ‘Cinderella'
- An exploration of the ‘dark side’ of fairy tale magic – 'The Stone Flower’
- Maurice Ravel
- Full of gorgeous, lilting melodic moments, a must hear, – 'Daphnis et Chloé’
- Dmitri Shostakovich
- Possibly the darkest ballet out there, truly thought provoking – ‘The Bolt'
- Leonard Bernstein
- If there is a more joyous and triumphant piece of music – well you must point it out because I don't know one – 'Fancy Free'
- Other names you should get to know:
- Astor Piazzolla, Benjamin Britten, George Balanchine
Just like a leotard’s embrace, a perfect ballet soundtrack makes the dance feel like a second skin, enhancing every step, every turn, every arabesque.
So, let us indulge in the intoxicating world of ballet music. Let us get lost in its lyrical whispers, its dramatic flourishes, its vibrant colours that speak to us as eloquently as the dancers themselves. Let the music become our guide as we journey through the beauty and the magic of ballet, and may we all feel just a little bit more inspired, a little more alive, a little more captivated by the magic that surrounds us.
Remember darlings, on a special day like this, the perfect way to celebrate ballet music is not by simply listening but by experiencing it. Put on your finest attire, indulge in some elegant treats, maybe a little bubbly, and dive into a ballet performance.
For you can't experience the music without the dance and, conversely, the dance loses its magic without the musical tapestry it sits upon.
Or, if you can’t attend a performance, a well-curated Spotify playlist or a classic CD from a favorite artist can also take you to that wondrous world.
However you choose to celebrate this day dedicated to the magic of music in ballet, take a moment to truly appreciate the artistry of the melodies, the harmonies, and the rhythms that make this beautiful art form so truly unforgettable.
Enjoy!