Ballet Music News 7306

26th July 2007: A Whirlwind of Ballet Music and Fashion

Oh darling, the air crackles with the magic of music and the whispers of tulle! Today, the 26th of July 2007, is a day for celebrating the exquisite synergy of ballet and its captivating melodies. A day where we're swept away on the wings of music, our souls pirouette with every soaring note. This is a day for all things ballerinas and the captivating choreography they create, an ode to the artistry that takes us beyond mere movement, into the realm of emotional expression, a canvas of grace and power, all imbued with the soul of the music that sets the stage alight.

Tonight, as we step into the heart of a bustling, electrifying theatre, it's the music that takes centre stage. And, oh darlings, what a stage it is! Imagine: a tapestry of lights, the glow reflecting on the gleaming floor of the stage, and the stage lights reflecting back a spectacle of stunning, intricately crafted costumes. From the luminous pink tutus that sparkle with a million tiny crystals to the majestic gold brocade of a prince's costume, it's all a visual feast, an elaborate, magical ballet in its own right. And then, from the heart of it all, the music. Each note, each melody is a whisper, a crescendo, a delicate conversation with the dancer, with us, the audience, a language of the soul, speaking of love, of despair, of joy, of sorrow, a universe of emotion. The air is charged with energy, each gesture and movement amplified by the pulsing music.

But it's not just about the grandeur, darlings. This is a day for all the details, the intricacies that make ballet the enchanting spectacle it is. It's the tiny diamond detailing on the bodice of a dancer's costume, the careful artistry with which the feathers of a tutu are positioned, the elegant sweep of the fabric as it ripples across the floor. The delicate shimmer of a silk leotard under the stage lights, its color echoed perfectly in the rose pink tutu of a ballerina. The meticulous care taken to match every thread, every bead, to the note of music.

There are scores of iconic composers that come to mind when we think of ballet music. Tchaikovsky's swan-like melodies in "Swan Lake," the soaring grandeur of "Sleeping Beauty." Stravinsky's revolutionary, audacious, daring musical choices in "The Rite of Spring." The powerful, captivating, emotional landscape of Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet." And who can forget the heartbreaking yet hopeful strains of Delibes' "Coppelia," or the light-hearted exuberance of "La Fille Mal Gardée," a symphony of delicate flourishes and infectious rhythm?

But let's not forget, darlings, it’s not just the music, but the dancers who bring these scores to life. It's their strength and agility, the way they move with such incredible grace. We are mesmerised, entranced, enthralled. Their bodies tell stories through the poetry of their movements, weaving an enchanting tapestry of emotion and athleticism, choreographed by creative geniuses whose artistic genius flows through the music and dances. Their effortless grace becomes an extension of the score, an intertwined dance of artistic mastery.

But as the day winds down, darling, the ballet experience lingers. We step back into the ordinary world, yet the whispers of the music remain, a phantom limb of delicate harmonies and soaring melodies, and it lingers on our hearts like a magical spell. And we remember the wonder, the enchantment, the raw, unadulterated beauty of the dancer, their commitment, the intense emotional landscape of the performance, and, above all, the sheer magic of the music itself, each note transcending time, weaving a delicate tapestry that becomes the ultimate artistic expression, an expression of humanity, a reminder that there’s a magical, enchanting world of beauty, emotion and graceful athleticism beyond the ordinary, in the elegant, expressive, poignant realm of ballet, a world made richer and more vivid by its symphony of accompanying music.

• Swan Lake, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The iconic swan, a creature of grace and vulnerability, embodied in the ballet by a captivating ballerina. The opening music, a waltz that captures both the majestic and mournful nature of swans, sets the scene, hinting at both ethereal beauty and hidden sorrow, transporting us into a dreamlike, mysterious landscape, a ballet brimming with dramatic potential, and we anticipate the story to unfold. Tchaikovsky, as always, sings the language of the human soul, with the soaring, mournful strains of the "Swan Theme" that hauntingly resonate as the ballet unfolds. We experience the ethereal dance, the beauty, the sadness, the powerful longing. Tchaikovsky crafts a masterpiece of poignant elegance.
• Sleeping Beauty, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Ah, darling, Sleeping Beauty! A timeless masterpiece that brims with joy, wonder, and adventure. This is Tchaikovsky at his most masterful, painting with his melodies, capturing the sheer grandeur and magic of this enchanted world. From the playful, joyful opening to the soaring elegance of the grand waltz, each note is infused with magical possibilities. As the Aurora pas de deux emerges, the delicate interplay between the prince and his love, their tender embrace, their powerful joy, we're transported to a fantastical kingdom of beauty, hope and love. This ballet is an invitation into a dreamland of delicate waltzes and exhilarating dances that captures our hearts with the timeless allure of this enchanting story.
• The Rite of Spring, by Igor Stravinsky: This one, darling, is for the daring souls! A ballet that shook the world in 1913, challenging classical conventions and sparking artistic revolution. Stravinsky's score is unlike any other. A force of nature, an expression of raw, primal energy that seems to emerge from deep within the earth itself. This music is bold, even chaotic, jarringly innovative, a testament to a bold visionary and a new generation of artists daring to innovate, defy expectation and embrace a revolutionary new way to tell stories on the stage. The dance that accompanied Stravinsky’s score, choreographed by the brilliant and controversial Vaslav Nijinsky, became a manifestation of that revolution in itself, breaking away from conventional ballet movements and presenting the story in a visually startling way, a way that reflected the musical energy and daring of the composition.
• Romeo and Juliet, by Sergei Prokofiev: A ballet filled with both passionate abandon and heartfelt tenderness. Prokofiev masterfully crafts music that reflects the youthful yearning of the two lovers, and the bitterness of the feud that tragically brings them together, only to tear them apart. We are drawn in, seduced by the symphony of emotions woven into every movement, each piece reflecting the pain of the conflict and the heartbreaking depth of the lovers' connection, with their youthful, intense love portrayed in soaring musical bursts of energy and emotion. And when Juliet's love for Romeo consumes her, the despair is evident in the anguished melodies of "Juliet’s Lament". Prokofiev's work offers a powerful and passionate portrait of love and loss in its poignant, tragic story.
• Coppelia, by Léo Delibes: Ah, darlings, what a delight! A ballet brimming with sweetness, lighthearted charm and romantic yearning. Delibes paints such vivid portraits with his melodies, bringing each character to life in a vibrant, expressive manner. We are entranced by the elegant flourishes of the music as we meet the mischievous Swanhilda and her love, Franz. The melodies sparkle, mirroring the playful romance of the ballet, yet laced with an element of yearning. As the plot unfolds, there's a bittersweet edge to the music, an undercurrent of sadness that mirrors the love triangle at the heart of the story. We witness the dance with an element of nostalgia as Delibes takes us back to a world of gentle humour and playful romance.
• La Fille Mal Gardée, by Ferdinand Hérold: This, my dear, is a delightful whirlwind of laughter and unbridled joy. The music itself seems to bounce with energy. It is light and joyous, bursting with exuberant, carefree optimism, a symphony of playful, vivacious notes, reflecting the delightful lightness and joyous spirit of the ballet's characters, especially the rambunctious Lise. It's a celebration of life, a love story woven in lively rhythms and charming melodies, a tapestry of life painted in music.

From the elegant strains of Tchaikovsky, the revolutionary force of Stravinsky, to the soulful melodies of Prokofiev, the sweet, bittersweet melodies of Delibes and the infectious, joyful melodies of Hérold, these masters of music have woven a tapestry that captures the essence of ballet, an art form that celebrates beauty, athleticism, passion and human emotion in a unique and captivating language that moves both body and soul. And it's this enchanting tapestry of music and movement, this shared artistic expression that unites both ballet and its audience, and, I say, this is truly a magical thing, and it will live on in the hearts of everyone who experiences the enchantment of this spectacular art form.

Now, darling, let's take a little walk on the wild side! Beyond the traditional, we've got an eclectic selection of contemporary music. Ballet is always evolving, seeking fresh inspiration, embracing the new and daring. Contemporary ballet companies are constantly reinventing the art form and bringing new life and sound to the stage with a kaleidoscope of diverse and inspirational musicians. The music can be electronic, pulsating with energy and rhythm. The movement may be bold and daring, full of energy. But in contemporary ballet, just as with its traditional counterpart, it’s always about telling a story. A new, different story that's woven through music, and it can be as emotional, as impactful, and as inspiring as its more traditional counterparts.

And as we leave the theatre tonight, darling, and head into the city lights, the magic lingers. It's in the air, in the gentle steps we take, the graceful swirl of our skirts. This night, and the music of the ballet, is a reminder that there is magic in every day. There's a ballet in our lives, if we only open our eyes, our hearts and ears to see, feel and hear it. The music will continue to flow through our hearts, leaving an imprint on our soul, as we step into the ordinary world, remembering the enchantment, the graceful, evocative, emotional world of ballet.