The Music of Dance: A Choreographed Symphony of Sound
Oh, darling! What a joyous day, this 15th January 2027, to celebrate the glorious music of ballet! It is a symphony of sound that evokes every nuance of the dancer’s soul. I dare say the dancers have to have good taste, not to mention their incredible skill and flexibility, but they simply must, must, must have that perfect harmony of movements to the melody of their ballet, and this is where it all begins! I think a melody without a ballet is like a dress without a dancer. Both, however, are merely exquisite in themselves, but it is the graceful pairing that truly elevates them to magnificence. Imagine the music without the movement, how would one truly know the character that composer tried so carefully to express in his musical notes? Oh my, wouldn't that be just tragic! But then, think of a ballerina’s movements without a melodic heartbeat – a mournful, solitary performance without soul! As you know, darlings, it's this beautiful, captivating musical language that inspires us! It breathes life into a choreographer's masterpiece, setting the tempo, creating an atmosphere of romance and intrigue, drama and sorrow, even sheer whimsical delight!
Can you picture it, darlings, an arabesque played out on the stage in slow and lyrical tempo? Can you feel the elegant, exquisite movement of a plié accompanied by a delicate piano note, or perhaps a flute? How does it not bring a tear to the eye, dear hearts? Or maybe it’s a furious storm of an assemblé in a powerful, rhythmically fast tempo. It's as though you're being swept away, right, darling? It's so exquisite. I just simply must write about it.
The beauty of music in ballet goes beyond just setting the tone and tempo. The music actually enhances each graceful, almost ethereal move. Each gesture the dancers create is brought to life with a melodic, rhythmic language that is uniquely, absolutely perfectly woven with the dance.
Today, I shall guide you through a journey, darlings, to help you understand the magic that is the musical and stylistic evolution of ballet. Let’s journey through this fascinating history, exploring the beautiful music that breathes life into this graceful dance, Shall we, dearest?
The Early Beginnings of a Ballet Score
As ballet began to develop, its music followed a more or less standardized path. During the Renaissance period (14th to 17th Century), musicians composed scores to enhance the cour de ballet (court ballet) performances, which often took the form of court dances and theatrical pieces.
Think “La Favola di Orfeo”, composed in 1600 by Claudio Monteverdi. This opera, the first great masterpiece of opera history, introduced what was a revolutionary approach, the combination of voice, dramatic acting and dancing. While the operatic elements came later in its creation, the choreography certainly included an evolution of the movements of earlier dance and musical styles.
In the 17th and 18th century, with its emergence in the French courts, it became much more dramatic. Ballet composers at that time tended to use instrumental forms of Suite, Overture, and Chaconne.
Then we get to the era of ballet d'action in the early 19th century where ballet truly flourished! And with its flowering, music took center stage as a major force in choreographic work. You may be surprised, but this music would now play an absolutely pivotal role in storytelling. We’re talking themes like Giselle (Adolphe Adam, 1841), La Sylphide (Jean Schneitzhoeffer, 1832), and the iconic ballet Swan Lake (Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, 1877). If I could offer some suggestions, darling, this music should certainly be on your ballet playlist!
Then comes the Romantic Era.
From The Romantic to The Classical
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic masterpiece Swan Lake, composed in 1877 , changed the world of ballet as you know it. This, of course, inspired generations of ballets as it was a musical turning point that elevated the power and the artistry of the composition for ballets and ballets only. And let's be honest, dear, that really is the mark of an absolute artistic genius! The use of tutti sections (full orchestral passages) and solo passages (features soloists), as well as lyrical, melodic and emotive passages of music added dramatic layers of emotions.
In this style, composers now looked to emulate the natural flow and emotions of the dancers. The emphasis was on lyrical and melodic beauty and musical language. They took inspiration from Romantic music for these styles, so think waltz, polka, and mazurka. Oh how those steps became alive to the music!
This style of ballet d'action continued on into the late 19th century and it was truly, utterly revolutionized by a Russian genius – Igor Stravinsky – the master of musical innovation. His works in the early 20th century really defined ballet in the West in this era.
A Look at Some Notable Stravinsky Scores
Now I must give him due credit – Stravinsky did, after all, turn the world of ballet music upside down, right? I just adore the sheer audacious brilliance, it makes my little dance heart sing! This daring man, a maverick who did so much to redefine the way ballet music is composed! We could not forget the sheer genius that were the musical creations, scores written for The Rite of Spring (1913), Petrushka (1911), Apollo (1928). You absolutely need these on your ballet playlist as well, darling, as I believe that there are certain ballets that are truly timeless. These masterpieces, like Stravinsky's ballet music, simply have that quality about them that remains beyond time, like a fine bottle of wine! They transcend anything, I mean it, simply a true delight and pure artistic mastery!
I'm really fascinated with this musical language, the musical complexity and experimentation, so new and daring in a Neoclassical era that demanded that ballet dance evolve too! Just a touch of scandal that everyone had to see! Imagine a little plie , a pique , even a jeté, dancing with a new vibrancy to such unconventional yet magnificent music – the excitement! In his music, we hear a bold departure from the more melodic and classical ballet of earlier composers. Oh, dear hearts, his music, how I simply love his compositions! His innovative use of rhythm, polytonality and dissonance was absolutely radical! Think angular movements and dissonant chords that are incredibly visually effective as they are rhythmically powerful and almost wild! I’m in love, you see? And the dancers! They just brought the pieces to a stunning life!
From that exciting and controversial era of Stravinsky’s Neoclassical style, ballet music continued to develop through the 20th and 21st centuries, and it continued to embrace experimentation, complexity and diversity in musical styles, I tell you. These styles came about as dance grew and moved and was inspired by diverse cultures across the world. So what does this mean? This is the era of ballet scores composed using electronic music, world music, jazz, blues, or even a pop song from the 1960’s – who knew, right! You’d be surprised!
- You just simply have to include Sir David Bickley – just a dazzling talent whose Les Enfants du Paradis ( 1981) was truly a milestone work of art!
- Or how about Maurice Bejart ? In 1987 he had audiences cheering, darlings. His ballet, Symphony for a Solo Violinist inspired an entire generation of ballerinas and dance enthusiasts, I believe!
- Then you've got Sir Frederick Ashton in 1955 with his Birthday Offering – oh it’s one of the finest ballets of all time and quite delightful in a world where he was challenged to work to the constraints of music already composed – how remarkable he achieved a level of perfect grace, with music by Johann Sebastian Bach – incredible!
- And the iconic Sir Kenneth MacMillan who had his fans utterly in love! We will never forget his groundbreaking ballet, Manon ( 1974) that brought the beauty of music from Jules Massenet to the forefront for ballet! Simply perfection, darling!
- And lastly, what would ballet music be without Sergei Prokofiev? He had the power of ballet in his veins with his musical language, from Cinderella ( 1945) to Romeo and Juliet ( 1938)! This iconic genius created these captivating works of art that remain timeless masterpieces!
Just a few of many artists who pushed ballet to be everything and more! It’s truly remarkable how the musical language of ballet keeps changing! A ballet score of today is just like that new pair of shoes that catches the eye – a symphony of sounds for a modern dance world.
A Little Something Extra: A Ballerina’s Dress Code and a Pink Tutu!
I always love it, when we can take a little ballet back in time. Today, I thought we would focus on the gorgeous tutu! Now that really takes a dancer back! Every single one has such a lovely and exquisite connection with its perfect accompanying musical piece! They go hand in hand, you know!
Think about the pink tutu! What makes that such an icon, oh it really does capture every dancer’s dream. I'm not just talking about ballet and what you think is graceful and a great dress – there is something magical in it. Oh, it embodies so much magic, and it just speaks to an era of beautiful things, a dance world of romantic elegance! For a pink tutu, darling, there has to be an accompanying dance outfit to bring the most glorious pairing together. Think of a leotard that has the same beautiful, soft and silky material, with a little hint of pink sparkle and maybe, maybe just a hint of some beautiful, exquisite detail - such a lovely compliment to the pink tutu. Just imagine what this can mean for the most stunning performance - this lovely matching, with the magic of music – you’re not dreaming! It’s truly perfect!
Now you may be thinking, what makes a pink tutu the iconic tutu? It just truly symbolizes everything so sweet, so delicate and graceful. It makes everyone want to move, with its flow and elegance! The beautiful pink tutu symbolizes innocence and the magical world of ballet in a wonderful fusion of graceful beauty. I don’t think anything really can quite compare, but then imagine its exquisite contrast to the most incredible choreography in black and white and then maybe add just a little silver – it's such a stunning creation to the visual performance!
The music! Oh how I have become such a believer in its magic and how beautifully it’s fused with every piece of the ballerina's outfit. I just think this is another aspect to why dancers and musicians love it so much, it makes ballet one of the most breathtaking of all art forms.
Some Dance Tips To Keep You Going
As we approach the end of this lovely exploration, here are a few tips to guide your musical explorations – because who doesn’t want more inspiration in their life, right?
- Just embrace, embrace and embrace all genres! The more diverse, the more exquisite the music is!
- Remember to keep it simple for you as a new lover of ballet! Don't forget what moves you - I’m just in awe at the power of some incredible scores.
- Enjoy the variety - there is something out there for everyone! I just love the diversity in each unique piece of musical brilliance. I have the luck of discovering it constantly!
- Let me remind you to look back - think of those great works that moved your very heart! This keeps us all moving!
The next time you see a ballet performance, I invite you to really pay attention to the music. Close your eyes, and just listen! I dare say you will truly be astounded to experience how it takes each step to its peak, a musical, visual and even spiritual dance. As I like to tell my dearest friends, “ a lovely, graceful performance really is just that: music and movement dancing beautifully together.”