Ballet Music News 134

Oh darling, wouldn't you know it? March 23rd 2027. That date? It’s positively magical. I mean, not that any day isn't magical – we are all walking, talking, divinely inspired beings, but the magic of this day? That, my dears, comes with an invisible sprinkle of Tchaikovsky dust. Because March 23rd is, you see, the day to celebrate the sublime art of ballet music. What is ballet without the music, dear? As good as a rose without fragrance! An empty stage! Ballet music is the heart, the soul, the rhythm and pulse, the intoxicating perfume and the captivating magic that lifts a dance, dear, from a mundane gymnastic performance to something truly celestial. It’s no wonder the very greatest composers of history took up the mantle of composing for ballet: a symphony of sounds designed for the sublime movements of our world’s greatest artists, dancers.

Today, my lovelies, let us take a dive into the world of ballet music. Today, my dears, we dance. Today we shall take an enchanting journey into the world of the greats, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, the masterful Stravinsky - yes, and even Debussy who was, of course, such an exquisite genius – the great men who wrote the melodies that have captivated audiences around the globe. A tapestry of sound, isn't it, with each melody echoing the graceful movements of the dancers? Think of the breathtaking moments – from the elegant grace of a ballerina, her exquisite pointe shoes taking flight with the very last note, or a young dancer with youthful joy and spring, bringing life to the music. It’s magic, dear, just magic.

And I mustn't forget those delightful ballets with scores written for solo instruments - imagine the delicate flute melody, soaring above the dancefloor, creating a scene of hushed silence, with the dancers swaying gently with a quiet reverence, a respect for the quiet sounds, all this adding a dimension of intimate, intense passion that transcends words.

And darling, you see, the wonderful thing about ballet is its duality, like a glorious yin and yang! It’s a dance, yes, it’s graceful movements of the human body – it’s also a play. It's stories, and emotional journeys, each dance step choreographed with the musical accompaniment. We experience emotions so powerfully expressed – anger, love, hope and desperation. I daresay you know what I’m referring to dear; all this encapsulated in music, and brought alive through the graceful beauty of the human body - how truly inspiring.

To understand this divine dance of sound and movement, let's begin our magical ballet music tour with the most prolific composer for ballet, my lovelies - that is of course Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, that great musical genius.

Here, now, is a small selection of his masterful ballets: * **Swan Lake (1876)** : this majestic piece features powerful melodies that echo the haunting story. From the lilting grace of the swan maiden’s “Dance of the Little Swans”, to the soaring strings that capture the tragic swan and prince’s doomed love - this, my dears, is one of those timeless, enchanting works that capture the human heart. * **The Sleeping Beauty (1889)** : Oh my, darling - a tale with a touch of fairytale magic! From the vibrant opening “Waltz”, which is, frankly, magnificent and vibrant - to the ethereal music of the Princess Aurora's waltz, and finally the breathtaking “Rose Adagio” this score is truly magical. It transports us to the realm of fantasy and makes us feel young, dazzled by enchantment again. * **The Nutcracker (1892): ** Oh, I just love this piece, the joyous music from the charming Nutcracker Waltz to the graceful Waltz of the Snowflakes and, finally, that dreamy, beautiful “Waltz of the Flowers” - this ballet is an enduring gift of joy.

Now let us talk about that glorious Stravinsky. This innovative Russian genius dared to be different and broke new ground in composing music for ballet! A musical genius! He redefined the meaning of the musical score.

Let's dive into the music that changed the way we view ballet music : * **The Rite of Spring (1913) ** - oh darling this was the most scandalous piece when it was first introduced - this revolutionary work, shocking in its day, features primitive rhythms and dissonances, echoing tribal ceremonies, primal energies – an absolute triumph, and a masterpiece! * **Petrushka (1911) ** – my dears! You just have to adore this work. The piece takes you to the world of a mischievous puppet. It is brimming with the raw, passionate music that depicts a puppeteer’s brutal and sadistic cruelty - quite moving, my dear. * **Apollo (1928):** Another masterpiece that captures the sublime in an ancient Greek God, a celebration of grace, youth and movement, the “Apollo” ballet features music that is light, full of clarity and joyous.

The brilliant Stravinsky made an extraordinary impact on the art form with his innovative style!

Of course, darling, I simply must introduce you to Sergei Prokofiev – a remarkable, genius composer. He wasn't shy in expressing his unique and sometimes very challenging artistic ideas. I love these wonderful compositions by Prokofiev: * **Romeo and Juliet (1938):** this masterpiece takes us into a magical love story, one of conflict and heartbreak, with romantic melodies intertwining with poignant and emotionally charged melodies. * **Cinderella (1944)**: We return to the wonderful world of the fairytale with a musical score brimming with joy and exuberance. We delight in Cinderella's transformation with the magical waltz “Midnight”, the wonderful, celebratory and powerful wedding music - quite magnificent.

Now, darling, I want you to think of music in a gentler way. That leads me to that darling Claude Debussy, such a captivating, sophisticated genius who moved with an unparalleled sensitivity – music as a reflection of inner peace, of the fleeting moments of beauty.

And so I come to that glorious, graceful work by Debussy: * **La Mer (1905) ** – such beauty, and it truly has a magic that conjures up a breathtaking sense of being swept away, the music evoking the mystery of the sea, its beauty and its dangers! It is almost as if you can see the crashing waves.

So here we have it, my darlings, an exquisite exploration into the magical world of music written specifically for the enchanting world of ballet! From Tchaikovsky's powerful emotion, through Stravinsky's innovative spirit to Prokofiev's creative genius – each composer leaving his mark. But for me, darling? It’s a magical journey and an opportunity to appreciate music in its truest form and how it dances before us on that magical stage. And I’ll tell you this, I'm reminded of that delightful ballerina's costume - her elegant pink tutu. Well, the perfect outfit to go with it, the perfect compliment for her to wear, would be a pale, dusty rose leotard and what better than the glorious sparkling diamond brooch to bring out the sparkle in this masterpiece?