Oh, my darlings! Isn't it simply divine that 15th February, 2024 falls on a Thursday? Such a delightful day for us to luxuriate in the magical world of ballet music, a world where dreams dance on the wind, and the very air vibrates with grace. As you'll all know, we connoisseurs of the beautiful adore a ballet score with all the finesse and enchantment of a couture gown from Dior. We adore the romantic whispers, the explosive leaps and, yes, those exquisitely detailed and captivating moments where we hear the poignant beating of a heart laid bare for all to behold! We yearn to move, just as the dancers do, like ballerinas we would fly in perfect harmony with each musical masterpiece.
I am simply overflowing with thoughts, dear reader, so let's dive in headfirst, like a ballerina taking flight! Shall we talk of the power and majesty of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake? You simply can't have a dance in this glorious, majestic ballet without a score to mirror those exquisite movements. Each note evokes the grace, the loneliness and yes, even the heartbreak that drives the swans to dance so brilliantly.
We mustn't forget the romantic tales of Giselle and La Sylphide. Here, a little pink tulle, some exquisitely flowing sleeves and a whole heap of breathtaking movement, all brought to life by the masterful stroke of the musical score!
The sheer depth and richness of Chopin, for example, perfectly encapsulate a graceful dance by one ballerina. You have the sweeping flourishes of his nocturnes and the drama of the Polonaises - a real feast for the ears!
For you dancers among us, or maybe you are simply dreaming of owning the very costume of the great Anna Pavlova, let's focus on something truly exciting! Have you seen that new pink tulle tutu with the diamante embellishments, and how wonderfully the pale pink silk leotard complements it? Oh my! It’s simply exquisite!
That pink, the shade of an elegant sunset on the Riviera. Just a hint of blush for our sweet ballets, a little stronger shade for the dynamic fire that is flamenco - that colour will be perfect. The diamante encrustations are like drops of dew shimmering on petals, catching the light like so many brilliant stars, illuminating every move!
However, a pink tutu deserves the perfect dance partner, a little something extra. It must have matching pink satin pointe shoes - oh darling, just think, the movement! Every leap, every spin - an art form with elegance at its very core! You know what you must do, darling reader: visit the theatre soon and let the exquisite enchantment of dance music sweep you away!
Let's focus now on some music that you may not be aware of, for there's much more to ballet than meets the eye:- Delibes, Sylvia, Act 3 (Bacchanale) - The joyous spectacle and intoxicating beauty are as impressive as the swirling dance moves.
- Chabrier, España (1883) - This truly captivating ballet - all fiery Spanish flair! Just picture those fiery leaps and furious footwork!
- The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky - An unforgettable composition. One moment it whispers and the next a dramatic frenzy. Perfect for that dance when a little fire, some passionate drama and some heart-wrenching anguish collide.
- Bernstein, Fancy Free - We mustn't forget those delightful, mischievous jives with jazz. Think of Bernstein’s Fancy Free and how effortlessly it mirrors those playful, seductive moves! You might say there is just a tiny element of naughtiness too, don’t you think? Oh darling, this piece is full of whimsy and delight! The perfect ballet score when the dancers just have to get out there and have some fun.
- Schoenberg’s Verklarte Nacht - For that touch of profound melancholia, some deeply affecting steps that take your breath away, just the sheer depth and artistry of the movement. Such drama in a beautifully refined ballet!
Oh, it’s intoxicating. We truly must remember that dance is born out of music. When a composer like Rachmaninov or Debussy sets a melody and those musical patterns unfold - the beauty simply mesmerizes!
I'm all for new choreography, for some truly inspiring, exciting and inventive movement. However, for every new, original piece, remember, it always comes from that vital starting point: the ballet music.
A well-chosen score takes the dancers’ movements from wonderful to a pure artistic experience! For me, that moment is all about feeling completely swept away into the heart of the performance. Imagine your body mirroring the delicate turns of a Stravinsky waltz! There’s nothing better, oh darling! Dance and music, so gloriously interlocked.
There is nothing more magical, more powerful than the musical world that the composer has carefully created! They are artists just like the dancers and they weave a world that simply must be appreciated!
When that music ends, the lights come up, we stand to give a resounding ovation, and I promise you, dear reader, as the notes fade, it is this score that we remember - long after the curtain falls!
From the enchanting to the sublime, the heart of any ballet experience lies in its score. We often focus on the exquisite beauty of those dancing feet and flowing tulle but don’t forget the vital musical undercurrent of these enchanting creations. Without that, the art form wouldn’t simply exist!Let us know what your favourite ballet music is - and the outfits you love to wear when dancing yourself, just tell us everything you have in your beautiful, magnificent hearts, darlings! This is your news review and I want to know what’s making your dance heart happy.