Oh, the Music of the Night
Oh darling, I do love a good ballet! A grand spectacle, where the dance of beautiful bodies, like swans or birds in flight, is made even more mesmerising by the power and emotion of the music. Ballet and music – oh how they are two sides of the same gorgeous coin! Today, 6 June 2004, we shall talk about the beautiful relationship between these two beloved arts forms. The music in ballet – it really can stir up a frenzy of feeling! From Tchaikovsky’s heart-wrenching and exquisite ‘Swan Lake’ score, the shimmering grandeur of ‘The Nutcracker’, to Prokofiev’s stirring 'Romeo and Juliet', oh how we all get swept up in the spell of the music.
Let’s first speak of the power of ballet music to elevate, enhance, and give body to a story. It's not simply about accompanying the dance, darling, but about setting the mood and enriching every gesture, every twirl, and every leap. Oh, that lovely, delicate pointe work on those exquisitely arched feet, how the music just makes the grace and elegance bloom!
There’s also the musical side, that intoxicating emotional depth that makes our heart thrum. How music creates a whole tapestry of feelings – joy, sadness, love, betrayal – all so magically articulated in notes, harmonies and rhythms. The musical scores of ballet truly do transport us into different worlds! And it's not just the iconic, full-blown orchestras that captivate us. From the subtlest pizzicato string notes, the lilting piano, the deep bass, the breathy flutes – oh my, they’re all weaving a tale through sound, just waiting for a dancer to grace us with their beautiful movements and expressions.
Remember ‘Sleeping Beauty’ with that divine Tchaikovsky music, where a beautiful, slumbering princess waits to be woken up by a prince? Isn't it just divine how the music takes us through the dreams of a sleeping princess as well as the magic of her eventual awakening?
And who can forget the heartbreaking romance of ‘Giselle’, another masterpiece of ballet where we get swept away by that soaring score by Adolphe Adam. Music in a ballet truly gives shape to that unbridled, passionate love. You feel it in the poignant strains, the gentle harmonies, the rising tempo, then the slow, heart-rending decline in the melodies – music telling such an emotive story, oh, it is glorious!
So much of ballet rests on its musical bones, it's no wonder that the art form attracts such remarkable musicians – from those in orchestras who work their magic on strings and brass and everything in-between, to the pianists and the percussionists. All contributing their unique gifts to creating an unparalleled performance of breathtaking beauty!
And then there's the gorgeous fusion of dance and music that sparks a unique magic on stage. You get a symbiosis of expressive gestures and emotional nuances. Where dance mirrors the music, then goes on to exceed, amplify and transcend the notes to take you on another captivating journey.
Here are some musings on some notable music in ballet, dear reader:
- The iconic ballet 'Swan Lake' has music by Tchaikovsky, and is known for its ethereal and majestic scores that move the heart with their soaring melodies. It's just brimming with emotional richness, isn’t it?
- The Nutcracker, also by Tchaikovsky, is a quintessential ballet for the Christmas season. You feel the festive cheer in the joyful rhythms and the lilting waltzes that transport us into that magical Christmasland with Clara and the nutcracker. We are all caught in the charm and excitement.
- Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev: Another powerful example of music being central to a ballet’s story. That dramatic opening makes our hearts beat faster! Then there's the passionate duets of love that fill us with a thrill, and that tragedy, the despair… Music can give us that heart-wrenching story of love and loss!
I could go on forever talking about the incredible synergy between dance and music – and oh darling, I will! As we take a closer look at the choreography and costume – the artistry is absolutely stunning, all forged by the magical combination of music and movement.
Think of the gorgeous movement of a ballerina gliding across the stage to the sound of the ‘adagietto’ from ‘Symphony No.5’, the most elegant movement in dance! The graceful, sensual dance movement and the expressive music makes a truly seductive harmony.
Then there’s the dramatic leaps in ‘Don Quixote’ – those big bold movements accompanied by that powerful, vibrant score – truly, a dazzling sight. Then how the swirling choreography of a traditional ballet’s pas de deux brings the beauty of a relationship, as a male and female dancer intertwine on the stage.
And don't forget the gorgeous, flowing movements of a ‘grand jeté’. We all sigh at the athletic grace, the airy elegance of it, which music simply amplifies – to reach breathtaking new heights.
There's so much to be said about choreography, that harmonious way a dancer's body creates shape in motion! There is a dynamic connection with the music – every step, every movement revels in the beauty of music.
A beautiful dress or a costume with an embellished bodice adds to the ballet magic – for every dancer must appear at their best, with a gorgeous, flowing tutu in shimmering shades that capture our eyes – all so evocative. A dance piece really comes to life in a stunning, richly textured costume.
Let's talk about colours, my dearest. Take the iconic, pale pink tutu in ‘Swan Lake’! That glorious pink speaks volumes about a feminine ethereal nature, like a gentle, soft cloud that whispers about hope, and joy. I always admire the stunning shades of blue, turquoise or lavender often used in costumes for female ballet dancers – they speak of such magic and allure. Then we also have the dramatic deep, rich red for those romantic costumes – it conjures up a feeling of deep love, passion and fire!
For our dancers, their ‘look’ really does complete the enchanting stage presentation, with the leotard just adding that extra something. An enchanting leotard in a matching pink would be fabulous with the ‘Swan Lake’ tutu! A beautiful deep, luxurious pink in silk that flows around a dancer’s body with elegant grace. Oh, such grace and poise they command, these stunning dancers.
Oh yes, my darling, ballet, with its costumes, music and captivating dances truly is a joy. But just as it is a spectacular, timeless art form, so are the ballet costumes themselves - elegant expressions of artistic design. I've always thought they really complete the story being told through music and movement, don’t you? Ballet really captures that magic and the thrill of grace, beauty, and perfection!