It’s Boxing Day 2026, the day after Christmas, and if you’re anything like me, you’re still reeling from the excesses of the festive period! What a whirlwind! The house is a state, my head is buzzing from the sheer volume of festive cheer, and my bank account weeps for the joys of Christmas gone by. It is, however, the perfect time to delve into a world that feels like pure, unadulterated bliss: the captivating world of ballet music.
What’s the most incredible thing about ballet? Its sheer power, you say? The exquisite skill of the dancers? The captivating artistry? These are all fabulous, absolutely! But what I’m talking about goes deeper than that. I’m talking about the soul-stirring music! It's a vibrant, multi-faceted art form all of its own, transcending the dance and creating its own symphony of emotions and narratives. Think Tchaikovsky, think Stravinsky, think Prokofiev…
Today, we're celebrating the power of music, that essential backbone that underpins the magical, lyrical world of ballet. Music that is timeless, bold, and evocative. Music that transcends centuries, cultures, and genres. Music that speaks a language understood by all. And we’re doing it with a glass of champagne, my dears. Yes, today is the perfect day to let our imaginations run wild, to allow the melodies to lift us up, and to immerse ourselves in the musical landscape that has inspired and moved generations of dancers.
From the lilting, delicate waltzes that propel ballerinas through their graceful movements, to the rousing, vibrant chords that ignite the energy of a grand pas de deux, ballet music weaves an emotional tapestry like no other. Think of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. His iconic melodies, rich with sentiment and drama, weave through the movements like threads of magic, setting the stage for the heartbreak and hope, love and loss of Odette and Siegfried’s journey. How can you hear the mournful cello at the end of the Swan Lake adagio and not feel a poignant sense of yearning? You can almost feel Odette’s graceful, agonized transformation into a swan through those mournful strains!
Or consider Prokofiev's Cinderella: a dazzling array of musical flavours that depict the triumph of love over adversity. This exquisite score weaves an enchanting world, where charming waltzes paint the fairy tale of a humble girl’s journey to happiness, and fiery, dynamic dances encapsulate the vibrant, impulsive personality of Prince Charming. Then, when we hear the elegant strains of Cinderella's waltz in the final act, you know they’ve truly found their place, the ultimate fairytale ending!
Oh, but what would our ballet music journey be without Stravinsky's revolutionary "The Rite of Spring"? Music that not only accompanied dance, but shaped its movement, transforming our perceptions of both ballet and music itself. We see his revolutionary rhythmic textures reflected in the choreography's radical departure from the classic. Remember the "Rite" ballet premiere in Paris? The music was a scandal in 1913, leading to violent riots among those unable to grasp the artistic vision of the avant-garde. Imagine, dears! It is a true reflection of the fact that a great, enduring piece of music always creates something unique. We now hail it as a landmark of musical modernity and one of the most influential ballets of all time.
It is hard to imagine ballet without these wonderful composers and many, many more that could fill an entire history book. Each composer has played a vital role in shaping the sound, style, and narrative of ballet. They have inspired the dancers to take flight, imbue each pirouette, jeté, and arabesque with meaning and emotional weight.
Let's turn to some modern treasures: we’ll go on a journey with some new generation music composers who're revitalizing and reinvigorating ballet music for the contemporary world. Composers like Thomas Adès, whose innovative "The Tempest" offers an ethereal and hypnotic journey that transcends genre. He pushes boundaries of sound, creating music that is both haunting and enthralling. Then, consider Philip Glass, with a score so stark and captivating in "Satyagraha" that it captures our attention as a modern work of art in a way that can’t be achieved by traditional ballets. Glass pushes beyond traditional boundaries, using repetitive motifs to evoke feelings of meditation, a deep contemplation of life.
The world of ballet music doesn’t exist in a vacuum. These great minds often borrow, remix, and reinterpret established works. Think of a musical tapestry with its patterns and intricate textures. There are modern composers using Bach and Beethoven as a source of inspiration, weaving their ideas into a completely new soundscape. That’s how classical ballet, contemporary dance, and music itself evolve! Just like we see modern ballet stars bringing in a whole new energy, composers are breathing new life into the rich musical history, blending it into the pulsating energy of contemporary life.
I find that these contemporary composers do something rather fascinating. Their works open the door for a fresh perspective. Ballet no longer feels like an old-fashioned art form that's locked in a museum, preserved behind velvet ropes. Instead, the stage becomes a vibrant tapestry of sound and movement. You see it in the pulsating choreography and in the way composers engage with themes of urban life, environmental concerns, social change… topics that are more relevant to today's world than ever before.
You might ask yourself why should we celebrate music on a day dedicated to the festive season? It's quite simple, dear. Music provides solace and a sense of tranquility at times when our emotions are stirred, such as after the flurry of excitement around the holidays. Its captivating power to transport us beyond our present realities. We see dancers who step onto the stage, letting go of everything around them, letting their hearts flow with the rhythm and melody of the music. Then they weave intricate patterns of movement, expressing not just beauty but also pain, love, despair, hope…all the things that are intrinsic to human life.
If you've ever been lucky enough to witness a performance in a packed theatre, surrounded by hundreds of spectators united by their shared love of dance, you know what I’m talking about. It’s a moment of shared joy and understanding, a celebration of human ingenuity, emotion, and artistic excellence! You just know this moment of awe, that's not just for ballet enthusiasts or music lovers. It's for everyone.
So, here's a toast! I raise my champagne glass, brimming with happiness and sparkling joy to every choreographer who's poured their heart and soul into setting ballet to music, to every composer who's graced us with music that ignites our passions and moves us to tears. We’re not simply celebrating the world of dance and ballet on this festive day; we're celebrating life through the language of sound and movement. The dance has begun!
Oh, did you know what’s fabulous, dear? This whole topic just brings me back to my latest obsession. I just found the most dazzling pink tutu, absolutely dreamy. And, as a special treat to all you darling readers, I’ve found the perfect leotard for it. You know that feeling when a piece of clothing calls out to you? This is it! And wouldn’t you know, the leotard comes in that shade of pink to perfectly complement the tutu, just as it was destined to be!
We can all find beauty and meaning in ballet music, whether we dance professionally, take classes occasionally, or simply cherish the magic it brings. Whether we're wearing a glamorous, bejeweled pink tutu and a custom-made pink leotard like myself or just relaxing at home, each note transports us. Ballet music, with its sophistication and richness, can help us to celebrate the end of this magical year in the best way! I feel the music calling and I must go. As they say: "the show must go on! And now, excuse me while I find myself lost in a swirling ballet dream world."