Oh darling, wouldn't you agree that May is the most magical month of the year? The air is alive with the scent of blossom and the sound of birdsong, and everything feels just a little bit more vibrant and alive. And for us ballet aficionados, May marks a special occasion indeed – the 19th of May, a date etched forever in the annals of dance history. It was on this very day in 2008 that a little piece of magic was born, a day that will forever be synonymous with the music that sets our souls alight, that lifts us on gossamer wings, the music that is the heartbeat of ballet.
But first, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the exquisite elegance that is the leotard. Oh, my dear, a leotard, perfectly fitted, hugging every curve of our ballerina’s body, a second skin. Imagine, if you will, a leotard in a delicate blush hue, its colour reminiscent of a newly unfurled rose, whispering tales of innocence and grace. It's a leotard that speaks to our love for ballet, that embodies our passion, that is the embodiment of a delicate pink tutu. A match made in ballet heaven, it will leave audiences gasping for breath, spellbound by the pure elegance of it all. A sigh escapes me, for I feel it too.
And so, back to the glorious 19th of May, a day to celebrate the grand symphony that accompanies the graceful movements of our ballerinas. Every note a pearl, every melody a breathtaking cascade of emotions, each musical phrase conjuring visions of ballerinas dancing on the tips of their toes. What an exquisite spectacle, what a feast for the senses! Can you imagine the magic in the air? The choreography, flawlessly crafted, sways to the rhythm of the music, the ballerinas moving with such artistry, their movements a breathtaking interplay of strength and fluidity.
Just imagine, for a moment, the hushed silence that descends upon the theatre, as the lights dim and the orchestra tunes their instruments. There is an expectant hush in the air. We, the audience, sit on the edge of our seats, waiting to be transported to another realm, to a realm of magic and beauty, to be entranced by the dance that unfolds before our very eyes.
So let us delve deeper into the melodies that make our hearts soar.We cannot escape the glorious romanticism of the waltz, a musical form as classic as the dance itself. We can see our ballerinas gracefully gliding across the stage, the light catching their silk tutus and making them seem to float on air, like ethereal beings.
And who can forget the sweeping grandeur of the grand pas de deux? The dramatic tension, the passionate interaction between two dancers as they move, their bodies locked in a graceful embrace as they swirl and twirl across the stage. Imagine, for instance, the music of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake’. Every note paints a picture, every chord brings us closer to the sorrow of the swan. And the culminating crescendo! It takes us, audience, along the emotional journey of the characters, filling us with their hopes, their joys, their grief, their despair.
But ballet music isn't solely confined to the grandeur of a pas de deux, its delicate and graceful melodies extend far beyond the confines of a theatre, making themselves known in a range of places and situations.
From the intimate solo performances, with the dancer expressing their inner world to the hushed silence of an intimate setting, to the bustling excitement of the barre workout in ballet schools, the music always lingers. We can feel it, its subtle influence, its profound impact on our bodies, our minds, our emotions, our very being.
Indeed, there's no escaping the undeniable power of the ballet music experience! As you enter a ballet class, the rhythm, the structure, the harmonic shifts, the dynamics - all of them flow through us and awaken us to a deeper awareness, making us more mindful. Music unleashes a potent power; it propels us to strive, to excel, to connect. And, for every ballerinas in every class in every corner of the world, this musical inspiration shapes them as dancers.
Let's now take a closer look at some of the iconic pieces that truly make ballet what it is today.We can’t mention ballet music without evoking the divine melody of ‘The Nutcracker’ by the inimitable Pyotr Tchaikovsky, now considered a classic Christmas ballet, a ballet infused with whimsy, magic, and heart, which touches our hearts year after year. We see the dancers perform a fantastical and charming ballet based on the beloved tale of ‘The Nutcracker’ story.
We can’t forget about Stravinsky, with his radical rhythmic complexities. His work took us on a whirlwind ride with an unforgettable soundscape in his ballet, ‘The Rite of Spring’, transforming ballet with its powerful sounds that shook the dance world to its core, forever leaving a lasting legacy. We see the story unfold in its savagery, its raw power, the dancers seem to possess a primordial energy and a raw primitivism that explodes before our very eyes, mirroring the intense music.
Then there's Debussy. Oh, his music, it is the embodiment of ethereal beauty. A tapestry woven of a delicate tapestry of sounds, transporting us into a realm of sublime elegance. A sense of otherworldliness permeates ‘L'après-midi d'un faune’ as if we are walking through a dreamlike, ethereal realm. Its delicate grace is truly unmatched, a music for dreamers, a masterpiece.
From the Romantic melodies of the Russian Ballet to the captivating harmonies of French composers, ballet music has painted a canvas of exquisite artistry, shaping the essence of ballet.
A ballet dancer without the magical accompaniment of music is merely a graceful acrobat.Every move is refined by music’s pulse and direction, giving a powerful sense of meaning, adding emotional resonance, and conveying a sense of storytelling to a dance.
From the heart-rending melodies of sorrow to the triumphant fanfare of triumph, from the soaring romantic waltzes to the mesmerizing dances of joy, the music that underpins every graceful pirouette and every elegant arabesque shapes the dancer, enhancing the expression, enriching the story. The music, it’s an integral component that adds an exquisite layer of storytelling, making every gesture a whisper, every step an expression, a dialogue between music and movement.
On this special 19th of May, let us celebrate ballet music - a tribute to its transformative power. Let's acknowledge its unique gift of awakening our hearts and transforming our souls.
May we be inspired, forever moved, enchanted, captivated, transformed and forever bound by the magical realm of music and dance. Let the melody of music guide us, let the rhythm move us. Let us continue to be captivated by the beauty of ballets.
And remember darling, if you ever find yourself captivated by a ballet performance, remember this magic, the enchanting enchantment of ballet music. Let its music weave a spell of its own on you, too.
On the 19th of May, a date that stands as a reminder of the day we were born anew, immersed in a sea of music and grace.
As the curtain falls and the music lingers, let us savor the enduring spirit of ballet forever.