Ballet Music News 542

The Music that Makes the Ballerina Fly
Ah, the intoxicating, almost magical, blend of elegance and athleticism that is ballet. I can never seem to get enough of the delicate precision and strength in each turn, every leap, the grace of each pas de bourree. And while a ballet performance itself is exquisite in its execution, I would be remiss to overlook the beautiful sounds that elevate it to an ethereal, timeless art form. The music. Oh, the music. It is, without a doubt, the heart of any ballet performance. Without a soundtrack, the intricate choreography becomes nothing but a silent show of acrobatic feats. The music infuses it with feeling and emotional power. Each step, each extension, becomes more poignant, more meaningful. It tells a story that might not be easily conveyed with only movements. It sets the mood. It helps to create an ambiance of passion and poetry in a story told through physical expressions, conveying joy, love, and sorrow through nuanced melodies. It builds the crescendo and the decrescendo, allowing us to connect deeply with the struggles, the triumphs, and the beauty that unfolds on stage. And this symphony of sounds, the choreography, and the performance as a whole would not be possible without the talented composers and orchestrators. Their music provides the magic, the beauty, and the artistry. Their work takes centre stage, their notes acting as an integral element that influences the mood of a ballet. The dancer can convey a thousand words through movement, and it is the music that whispers the meaning, making the dance come alive. It was the composer who helped Tchaikovsky translate a children’s story, a classic in its own right, to a symphony of emotions. From the iconic “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” a true icon of music that is inseparable from its story, to the poignant, almost haunting "Waltz of the Flowers,” we are drawn in, becoming enchanted with the magic of this story, every emotion, every struggle, and every triumph coming alive through Tchaikovsky's captivating, poetic notes. And, perhaps this is why Tchaikovsky’s "Swan Lake," is not just a beautiful, technically challenging ballet, but a story of love and loss, told through exquisite notes and movements, one that is as poignant today as it was back in the day when it premiered in 1877. The intricate rhythms and dramatic melodies tell stories of sorrow and longing in "Romeo and Juliet," allowing the viewer to understand the raw emotion, the tumultuous passion and conflict, that this Shakespearean tragedy explores, encapsulated through the evocative power of music, bringing a tale of love and loss to life, without needing to speak a word. Or consider, the graceful, rhythmic pulse of music, the "Giselle" ballet, an enchanting melody of folk dance with an elegant, lyrical movement vocabulary. It blends storytelling and pure technical ballet. It's a work of art, not just of movement, but of storytelling and music, the two going hand in hand. Here again, we witness how the music underscores the narrative, giving meaning and substance to every movement, elevating the artistry to a higher realm. And how can we forget the beautiful, energetic "Scheherazade,” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. It tells the story of the 1,001 nights of a Persian princess who uses captivating storytelling to win her life from an ill-tempered Sultan. But the ballet also shows us an Eastern-inspired work that beautifully conveys cultural stories. The orchestration allows us to understand the cultural richness of this Persian story, which is one of seduction, drama, and cunning, and makes this story even more fascinating for its rhythmic patterns, making us want to continue exploring the intricacies of this tale, through every captivating melody and note. Every music composer adds something unique, adding colour, depth, and rhythm. But as dancers become mesmerized with the flow, with the melody and the notes, with the beat and the harmony, we find that these music pieces are an embodiment of both, emotion and technique. And without this evocative power of music, the ballerina’s steps would lack depth, they would not have meaning. Without these powerful soundtracks, these choreographies would become a silent play, and we would lose so much. This magical world that the dancers bring to life. So what kind of ballet music should you be listening to? There are so many incredible choices out there, but here are a few ideas to add to your list of listens. Some well-known, but classic ballets • *Sleeping Beauty*, by Tchaikovsky. A ballet that transports us into a magical world of sleeping beauty and a charming prince. And here again, music is at the heart of this story. With iconic melodies and beautiful score, the musical element elevates this timeless story. • *The Nutcracker*, by Tchaikovsky, as I mentioned before, a children’s tale with magic, battles, and a touch of the exotic. All conveyed with the charm of a beautiful and evocative melody. You can't get enough of the music! There are certain moments in this ballet where the music evokes the imagery and sets the stage in our mind. For example, the iconic "Waltz of the Flowers,” it's simply a delight to the senses. • *Don Quixote*, by Minkus, a story of love and mistaken identity, of illusions, passion, and love at first sight. The musical score is, as in the other ballets we've discussed, another major aspect that adds beauty, expressive depth, and dramatic meaning to every leap and every turn in the choreography. • *La Bayadere*, by Minkus, is an ancient Indian ballet set in the exotic Kingdom of Magadha. Here, again, the musical score is captivating with its Eastern melodies and rhythms. And of course, we are taken back in time, captivated by the tale of love and tragedy told through captivating, expressive notes. • *Swan Lake*, by Tchaikovsky, a ballet that tells the story of a young woman who is cursed and transformed into a swan. One of the most famous ballets ever, the story of love and tragedy set to a heart-rending and romantic score, full of lush music that takes the listener on a magical journey, bringing to life a timeless story of romance. • *The Firebird*, by Stravinsky, an exotic Russian folk tale featuring a fiery bird. Here again, we are transported into an enchanting, mythological world, full of danger, magic, and the beautiful notes of this enchanting and unforgettable musical score, filled with magic and intrigue. It captures a sense of mystical power that transports us to a new and exciting, if dangerous world. A modern selection And these selections should be added to any modern playlist. • *Concerto*, by Stravinsky. One of the most captivating ballets with a modern take on classic choreography, this is another piece, for which we see that a blend of both classic and modern in the music makes the choreography a feast for the senses. • *Serenade*, by Tchaikovsky, an ode to classical elegance. There is no telling this story without a powerful, melancholic and poetic score to complement it. The beauty and tenderness of this ballet and music are a powerful combination that never loses its enchantment, always conveying heartfelt emotion. • *Symphony of Psalms*, by Stravinsky. A grand work of art set to a breathtaking and soulful score. This ballet takes on a new meaning when accompanied by Stravinsky's captivating score and modern choreography. You don't need to know much about ballet to enjoy this masterpiece, but you may become enthralled after one performance, its power almost irresistible. A look into ballet music Ballet and music are two art forms that go hand in hand, almost inextricably linked. Their collaboration takes an otherwise mute and physically dynamic show to new heights, each complimenting the other, taking art and artistry to the highest levels of artistic expressions. It's impossible to have one without the other and music serves to not only illustrate but also enhance a tale. • Music brings out the subtle nuances of each gesture and each movement in a ballerina's repertoire, allowing the movement vocabulary to go beyond the literal, the music adding texture, detail, depth, and expression. • The rhythm of the ballet often blends with the rhythm of the music. Both must have similar tempo to help build a coherent storyline. • The music acts as a roadmap. Each beat, every note is calculated, in order to create the dramatic tension that brings this art form to life, creating an experience of breathtaking art that blends physical strength, grace, elegance, and power with soulful musical soundscapes. • The tempo and the melodies build up the drama, evoking an aura of magical tension and excitement, and the choreography follows the ebb and flow of the music. In this way, both music and ballet movement go hand in hand to captivate audiences with an artistic harmony of elegant beauty. It’s time to move, literally and figuratively! As a woman who has a certain affection for the elegance of ballet, I will leave you with some fashion choices that, perhaps, you will find interesting as you embark on this beautiful journey. Ballet has an amazing way of transforming you both emotionally and visually. You can even adopt the visual elegance of the dancers off the stage! A ballerina in a soft, beautiful tutu that floats as she gracefully dances? What more could a lady ask for! Well, for all the elegant dancers out there, a piece to complement the soft pink tutus, one to bring out that inner ballerina? Yes, I would recommend the *Ballet Rose leotard* - *soft pink with black accents* a truly sophisticated piece to compliment the soft pink and fluffy tutus. For a dance enthusiast, ballet should be not just a visual but also a sonic and emotional experience. So take time out, grab some popcorn or a glass of wine and spend an evening in the company of classical and modern ballets. I am sure that the artistry and elegance, both the visually beautiful performances, and the melodious music, will captivate you in their entirety, the perfect symphony of elegant movements and captivating sounds, a beautiful and enduring art form that has graced us for centuries, a timeless and elegant dance that continues to inspire us.