Ballet Music News 1522

Ah, the music. It's the heartbeat of ballet. A symphonic masterpiece can turn a graceful leap into an airborne pirouette. A haunting melody can tug at your soul as a ballerina pours her heart onto the stage. Ballet music is more than a backdrop; it's a language spoken with exquisite nuances that speak directly to the depths of the soul.

It's 4th June 2023, a date destined to be forever etched in the annals of ballet. Not because of a grand première or a record-breaking performance, but for the exquisite journey we embark on together, a dive into the enthralling world of music composed for the art of dance. We’ll explore the brilliance of ballet scores from the timelessly captivating waltzes of Tchaikovsky to the exhilarating, pulsating rhythm of Stravinsky, all culminating in a tribute to the composers who set the very stage for ballet's existence. Let's put on our ballet shoes, dust off our tutus (a blush pink tulle for me, naturally, paired with a vibrant crimson leotard!), and dive into this exhilarating journey together.

Firstly, a journey through the most captivating ballet music wouldn't be complete without a mention of the grandmaster, the undisputed king of ballet music - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The very name conjures up images of swirling tutus, noble princes, and heart-wrenching love stories, a theatrical vision embodied through the power of his melodies.

• Swan Lake: This haunting, emotive ballet weaves its spell through ethereal melodies, the dance between swan and maiden portrayed in heartbreaking detail by the interplay between the Swan Queen’s theme, the beautiful but tragic “Odette’s Variation,” and the wicked allure of the Black Swan’s theme, the mesmerizing “Odile's Variation.”
• The Nutcracker: This whimsical Christmas-themed ballet dances into our hearts through a flurry of melodies that encapsulate the magic and wonder of the holiday. The delightful Sugar Plum Fairy variation with its sugary-sweet waltz is as whimsical as the snow-covered Christmas Eve setting that it brings to life, and of course, there’s no shortage of sugar plums on stage with the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy! But Tchaikovsky masterfully paints a deeper narrative with melodies like the ‘Dance of the Reed Pipes,’ gentle and tender, hinting at the fragility of Clara’s childhood fantasy.
• Sleeping Beauty: This fairytale-inspired ballet shimmers with life through enchanting waltzes and triumphant fanfare, each melody painting vivid portraits of princess Aurora and Prince Florimund as they navigate their magical story of love and betrayal, with "The Rose Adagio" becoming a defining moment in ballet history and the exquisite "Aurora's Variation" adding an air of effortless grace.

His melodies are not just for the dancers; they transcend the physical space of the stage and resonate deeply with the audience. Whether you’re familiar with ballet or not, Tchaikovsky’s music evokes emotions you thought you’d never feel before.

Moving forward, the world of ballet is replete with diverse musical masterpieces that captivate audiences with their breathtaking scores.

We cannot speak of ballet music without mentioning the groundbreaking, innovative, and yes, perhaps a little eccentric, Igor Stravinsky. This Russian composer revolutionised music, not just for ballet but for the world! Stravinsky’s music possesses a primal power, it pulsates, thrashes, and defies all expectations, like a wild, untamed beast that you just have to experience for yourself. His use of polyrhythm and irregular meter has resulted in some of the most iconic, powerful scores in the history of ballet. It’s difficult not to feel enthralled by his music, just as the dancers on stage feel it in their very bones.

Let's explore these bold works of musical genius:

• The Rite of Spring: This masterpiece wasn’t born easily, infamously premiering to public uproar at its 1913 debut! Today, it’s celebrated for its raw power and raw energy. Stravinsky challenged the musical norms of his time, utilizing jagged rhythms, abrupt changes in tempo, and dissonant harmonies to paint a captivating canvas of pre-Christian Russia’s pagan ritualistic sacrifice. From the haunting and alluring opening theme to the violent, frantic crescendo that culminates with the ritualistic dance, this piece evokes visceral reactions in its listeners.
• Apollo: This ballet is considered a turning point for Stravinsky's career and showcases a side of the composer we might not anticipate: a Neoclassical sensibility. With an intricate weave of melody and harmony, Stravinsky evokes Apollo's essence in the ballet. The themes are lighter than The Rite of Spring, exploring the playful and the solemn aspects of Apollo's existence.
• Pulcinella: With this ballet, Stravinsky dipped his toe into the Baroque period. While it might be thought of as an orchestral suite for a play, it is in fact the story of the iconic comedic character Pulcinella, set in Italy's Naples. There is much playful use of the Baroque sound, resulting in a truly witty and engaging piece.

Stravinsky, for his daring, challenged not only musical traditions but the very way we viewed ballet. He injected his own personal artistry into his scores, shattering convention, and demonstrating that the possibilities in ballet music are limitless.

The influence of ballet music transcends mere entertainment, it goes deep. The emotion infused within every chord, every note, permeates our lives, reminding us that even the smallest detail in our lives can be beautiful, graceful, powerful. Each melodic phrase, a symphony of stories unfolding before our eyes.

Now, let's embrace the here and now, acknowledging that the musical legacy of ballet is continually being rewritten.

With the evolution of ballet itself, there has been a constant need for new, innovative music. Contemporary choreographers, particularly in the past two decades, have embraced a greater range of music, from electronic to experimental, for their works, and these new pieces are exciting! This exciting diversity of musicality is evident in the new wave of ballet scores, expanding the world of ballet into something even more beautiful.

• Thomas Adès: "The Tempest" (2004) A unique take on Shakespeare, with a score incorporating the beauty and complexity of traditional operatic themes with hints of jazz. This score explores the delicate beauty of classical forms, seamlessly intertwined with the electrifying pulse of a jazz band.
• Philip Glass: "Satyagraha" (1980) A ballet based on the life of Gandhi, which combines a hypnotic and meditative musical aesthetic.
• Steve Reich: "Different Trains" (1988) Utilizing sound from both live instruments and the digital world, the result is a poignant piece which blends a variety of styles, creating a multifaceted sound experience.

By fusing music from diverse musical genres with the tradition of ballet, the boundaries are becoming blurred. Contemporary scores demonstrate the universality of music - a powerful language that connects us all in its captivating allure.

As the final curtain falls on today's journey into the world of ballet music, let’s appreciate its powerful impact. A melody, a crescendo, or a graceful phrase can stay with us long after we leave the theatre, and as dancers translate that music into movements, that music literally moves us as listeners. Each graceful movement is a physical embodiment of a musical concept, echoing the rhythm, tempo, and harmonies of the music. The magic happens in those shared moments where both audience and performer become united under the spell of the melody. And as a passionate dancer and author myself, I can say that I am more enthralled by the music and its power now more than ever!

The dance itself is merely a beginning. A step, a leap, a turn - these are the initial sparks. The music breathes life into them, the music turns them into stories.