29 January 2026. What a magical day. A day for a review of the world of ballet music. A symphony of notes to grace our ears and a melody to lift our spirits! The world of ballet has always been about grace, beauty and artistry and I, a mere enchantress in the world of dance, have come to write of this magical fusion of sound and movement.
Firstly, a new wave of ballet music, a storm of composition, is washing over the globe. Classical traditions, with all their hallowed reverence for the classics like Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky, are still at the heart of ballet but the world of ballet music is a universe, and every star within it is twinkling brighter with each passing season. And there’s new blood. This new blood isn’t so much rebellion as evolution. Think less ‘burning the candle at both ends’ and more ‘taking the flame and making a roaring fire’. Young composers, not yet hardened by the weight of expectation but brimming with passion and a love for this wonderful form of expression, are creating scores that are fresh, energetic and, dare I say, dare-devilish in their audacity! Yes, dear readers, we are in a renaissance.
Consider the newly premiered ballet by the esteemed Royal Ballet – let us name it **"Whispers of the Forest"**. It's an enchanting ballet, telling a story of young love blossoming in the face of hardship. Now, for **"Whispers of the Forest"**, our resident genius, and dare I say heartthrob of the music scene, the renowned and ever so enigmatic **Oliver Ashton** – a man whose work can be felt as much as heard – created music that echoes the emotions and the natural world of this beautiful piece. The gentle harp that accompanies the tender scenes, the full orchestra, a symphony of passion when the love story takes its tumultuous turns.
Oh, **"Whispers of the Forest"**, what a delight you are! It would seem our **Oliver Ashton** was truly inspired by the spirit of this work, crafting a score as delicate as a dewdrop on a spider’s web and yet, just as captivating. But dear readers, the beauty of a ballet lies not only in the music, but in the movement, in the art of a choreographer interpreting that music in a new and exhilarating way. **The choreographer behind "Whispers of the Forest"** (whose name is being held under wraps – oh the intrigue, isn't it tantalising?!) – **they are truly a genius of their time**. Each movement so beautifully executed, each emotion poured out through gestures so graceful, they make our heart ache. This is what makes the world of ballet so unique – its ability to move, not just physically, but emotionally.
Now, to something lighter, I simply must bring your attention to a newly commissioned work from **the prestigious New York Ballet Company**. What I saw, my darlings, simply left me breathless. **"Dancing in the Starlight"**, a breathtaking showcase of agility and elegance, and as a fitting companion, a symphony of pure, dazzling joy! Oh, what music! The kind that fills you with glee, makes you want to twirl until your feet soar. This creation by **Isabelle Moreau, ** whose name is now synonymous with the brilliance and ingenuity that has breathed new life into the world of ballet music. The melody, an effortless mix of classic inspiration and new-age dynamism, perfectly reflecting the movements of **The New York Ballet** as they move like a dream through the glittering scenes.
**The costumes for "Dancing in the Starlight"** (a spectacle that truly deserves an Oscar, if ever such an accolade was bestowed upon a ballet!), created by **the flamboyant and incredibly talented Jean-Claude Dubois** (whose exquisite eye for detail is truly to be revered), are simply enchanting. From the ethereal diaphanous skirts, whispering in the wind like the starlight the piece celebrates to the exquisitely designed bodice – in pink and ivory – with a design that would shame a Fabergé egg for beauty – is worthy of the most magnificent stage. There's even a matching leotard – a creation in dusky pink, oh so flattering on every shape! The leotard – I do think a ballet wardrobe isn’t complete without one of these beauties! **And oh my dears, the leotard. It needs its own moment. What an absolutely gorgeous design! Imagine, if you will, a leotard crafted from a whisper-soft stretch material, oh so figure-hugging and graceful. A design that allows for the utmost freedom of movement – but not just any movement! The movement of ballet. The dance! So elegant. Such precision. The material of this piece of fashion, let me tell you, almost dances by itself! The perfect shade of pink – not too loud, but just so subtle that it practically sings on stage. A timeless piece to grace the legs of every ballerina! It truly deserves to take its bow!
Back to our musical journey, I must add, however, that the joy isn't solely reserved for the grand theatres. This beautiful renaissance extends right down to the smallest studios. New choreography is flourishing in local communities, driven by the tireless work of dance schools who, with an infectious passion, are nurturing the love of ballet in their communities. From small-town school halls to basement studios, dance schools everywhere are weaving this unique art form into the fabric of their communities. A truly breathtaking thing. This new generation of talent has, I’m sure, many incredible stories waiting to be told and in their ballet music is where those stories reside.
On the other hand, our musical journey leads us to **The National Ballet School**. Here, the story isn't always so celebratory, with some challenging the ‘tradition’ of what constitutes great ballet music, pushing the boundaries of what we expect to see on stage. At The National Ballet School, they've embraced a concept they call 'the music of change.' Now, **‘The music of change’** may not sit as well with the traditional ballet audience, but for me, its significance can not be overlooked. What they're offering is a raw and potent reflection of the changing times. It's gritty, powerful, and doesn’t always go down as easy as the more romantic fare of 'the old masters'. It doesn’t rely on tradition as a crutch but finds strength in the imperfections, in the roughness and resilience. It isn't ballet music made for the faint of heart! You either fall for its daring or you run for the hills. The music – a cacophony of sounds, some that will soothe you like the melody of a gentle rain on a summer’s day, some, however, that are more like the howling wind on a storm’s eve! This truly is the music of change.
But this musical journey is just one part of the story, it is important, very important indeed, to take note of the young dancers who are bringing life to this beautiful music. This journey to become a ballerina, an enchanting creature of elegance and grace, begins at the age of 4 and goes on into a very dedicated, challenging but wonderfully fulfilling, world of training, performance and, most importantly, of creative expression. Young hopefuls, their dedication so powerful it fills your soul with admiration. And yet these youngsters must also find ways to navigate the difficulties that are endemic to any professional career: self-doubt, the pressures of staying on top of their game, and always striving to learn, refine, and, dare I say, surpass, their artistic selves! There’s much to love, in ballet – its challenges, its successes, the incredible dedication of the dancers – both young and old.
And in their eyes, we see that flicker, that spark that burns with a fiery passion, for ballet. They work tirelessly for perfection, day in, day out, taking ballet lessons, dancing in rehearsal, never taking for granted this chance they’ve been given, always aiming to reach new heights. Every leap and turn tells a story. A story that is beautifully woven into the narrative of ballet. A narrative that began centuries ago and yet continues to enthrall. And, just like these beautiful souls, the music, too, is ever-evolving, constantly evolving into its next form. What was the past is simply inspiration, a cornerstone to a journey that stretches into an uncertain future.
As a finale, dear readers, let's pause to appreciate what is coming next. What lies on the horizon? There is excitement and creativity and talent bursting with a love for ballet, and with it, there are many things to watch out for, such as...
The latest dance trends- Fusion Ballet
- Neo-classical ballet
- Ballet-fitness
- Street-ballet
- The brilliant and enigmatic **Sebastian Carter**
- The effortlessly graceful **Lila James**
- The energetic and revolutionary **Joseph Quinn**
A lot is happening in the ballet music scene right now, but remember, dear readers, it's just a tiny sliver of time, a moment frozen in the eternity that is ballet music! And remember – a good ballet show is a delicate dance of emotion, precision and music. So sit back and soak up the wonder of a world where grace and rhythm reign supreme, a world of magic where, as the music soars and the ballerinas dance, you’re whisked away into another realm, a realm of enchantment, grace, and artistry. And to close this news item I will leave you with a message, a small offering for all those in love with this beautiful art. To the ballet dancers, both the young and the old – remember, you are art, and you are artists, and never lose sight of that beauty that shines within you! Now, that, my friends, is truly something to dance for!