Ballet Music News 7012

Oh darling, let’s have a twirl and a waltz back through time to 15th May 2008! The very thought of this date sends shivers down my spine and sets my toes tapping, like the start of a particularly thrilling pas de deux. What day was it, you ask? Why, it was the day the music for a little thing called “ballet” began its slow, seductive saunter onto the world’s stage. Imagine if there was no music to swirl our tutus to, darling? What an utter travesty!

Oh, the drama, the heart-wrenching crescendos, the soul-stirring pianissimos, the breathtaking silences, all perfectly curated for each leap, each arabesque, each pirouette - it truly makes for an utterly magnificent tapestry of sound and movement! It’s a symphony for the soul, a rhapsody of passion, a concerto of grace, my dears!

A symphony for the soul! It truly is the essence of artistry, don’t you think? And don’t even get me started on the costume designs – my dear, it is as though they have been imbued with magic. A swirling flurry of tulle, like a dream woven in satin, a leotard to match a perfectly-pink tutu, it’s just divine, it really is. It’s a captivating tableau of fashion and artistry – a spectacle that speaks to our souls.

Think of some of the most memorable scores in ballet – Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake - aren't they just pure poetry set to music? I am, naturally, in complete awe of Tchaikovsky’s ballets. Such heart, such soul, such elegance… The ‘Swan Lake’ score is just extraordinary, it’s a tapestry woven from pure emotion, wouldn’t you say? Each note echoes with passion, longing, and hope. It truly paints the landscape of a timeless romance. And oh my, his ‘Sleeping Beauty' is positively enchanting!

However, let us not forget the other composers who have graced the world with such magnificent pieces. Stravinsky's ‘The Rite of Spring' - the most revolutionary work of the 20th Century! And, of course, Debussy's ‘L'Après-midi d'un Faune’! Those magical, hypnotic harmonies that simply enthrall - such poetic genius, truly a divine treat! They both paved the way for new possibilities, pushing boundaries and challenging preconceived notions - simply captivating, my dear!

So, to this day, when you see dancers effortlessly flitting across the stage, swirling their tutus in perfect synchronisation with the music - and, of course, you are utterly mesmerised - remember the magic and grace that is infused within the score. The powerful yet fragile stories told through these movements – a pure, expressive art form, utterly magical, don't you think? The beautiful choreography, the breathtaking costumes and the sublime score. This is truly ballet – a form of dance, a narrative that captures the human spirit through every movement, every chord, every whispered breath. So darling, raise a glass (perhaps something vintage, Champagne with a delicate bouquet - perfect for this elegant, swirling masterpiece!) to ballet and it's bewitching soundtrack!

- The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky . Now, I must say, there's no denying the utterly magical effect this ballet has! Just think: children laughing, snow falling gently, the aroma of fresh pine… and then - bam! You're swept up in a whirlwind of a festive wonderland. It's full of colour, full of heart and oh darling - full of magic. It's truly like stepping into a magical dreamscape! A ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’, the graceful ‘Waltz of the Flowers’, even the delightful ‘Waltz of the Snowflakes’, every movement echoes the music, the emotions so deeply entwined!

- Swan Lake by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Ah, a truly romantic journey this one! The haunting theme, the delicate waltzes, and the sweeping movements of the dancers! It's an absolutely sublime tableau, where a beautiful ballerina in a white tutu floats on stage, transforming from a graceful swan to a tragic queen - oh, how utterly mesmerizing! Don’t even get me started on the beautiful finale – it just lifts the heart and fills the eyes with happy tears. And oh darling - if the dance was simply the choreography, and not matched with the emotional notes of the orchestra, what would we feel, what would we experience?! Simply a void - utter emptiness, isn’t it!

- Giselle by Adolphe Adam I must say darling, if you haven't already witnessed the sublime magic of this ballet – you must! You truly will be captivated by it’s heart-wrenching tale - a love story filled with deceit, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Oh, it truly does take us through an extraordinary emotional journey. You simply must listen to the exquisite ‘Mad Scene’ - you truly can’t help but feel Giselle's pain. This is music so heartfelt, so moving - simply brilliant.

- La Bayadere by Ludwig Minkus A true journey into the mystery of the orient, it truly is. And, my dear, such an emotional feast for the soul! ‘Kingdom of Shades’, oh my, those majestic steps - each one simply spellbinding! I absolutely adore this scene – I am entranced every single time, the music sets such a powerful atmosphere. Don’t you find it extraordinary? It perfectly evokes this enchanting scene - with such delicate and haunting beauty!

- Don Quixote by Ludwig Minkus: A charming tale filled with vibrant colours and life, this ballet is a feast for the senses! And just look at the scene where ‘Kitri’ and ‘Basilio’ perform the lively ‘Cigale’ dance. That infectious joy just permeates the music. Such joy, such freedom! And then we see the lovely ‘Waltz of the Dryads’, a perfect example of elegance in its purest form. It simply embodies grace in motion - each movement so fluid, and so beautiful. A ballet and a musical score to simply inspire and move the heart.

- Coppelia by Leo Delibes This lighthearted ballet has everything a ballet needs to enthral – laughter, love and charming surprises! I'm utterly enchanted by it’s ‘Waltz’ scene! And my dear, that exquisite choreography - you truly feel as though you’re twirling and whirling in the middle of it. The whole production is bursting with joy, like the vibrant music. Truly an entertaining delight, don’t you think?

- Cinderella by Sergei Prokofiev I mean, what can I say? This simply sparkles with magical delight - this is an utterly enchanting ballet that tells an all-time classic tale with so much heart. Don’t you just love the “Transformation Scene”, such beautiful elegance and a real display of grace. And my darling - have you ever heard a more beautiful 'Waltz’ – its utterly captivating. And then there's the "Clock Scene" - this brings back those wonderful memories of Christmas when I was little - full of life and laughter - it's all captured in the beautiful music - just heavenly.

So, as you see, darling, ballet isn’t just dance. It’s a symphony of emotions, a storytelling spectacle through the art of dance, all accompanied by a mesmerising and powerful score. So raise a glass of bubbly and join me in applauding the composers who have so brilliantly woven magic and emotion through this sublime art form - a perfect celebration of musical artistry.