A Symphony of Sounds: A Look at Ballet Music in 2025
Ah, the exquisite ballet, a graceful dance form that has captivated audiences for centuries. From the delicate movements of the dancers to the sweeping emotions conveyed through their bodies, there is an undeniable magic woven into every step. And what is a ballet without its musical heartbeat? Music and ballet are two halves of a perfectly harmonious whole, each elevating the other to reach its full potential.
Today, 27th April 2025, we're going to embark on a journey through the world of ballet music, exploring its past, present and future. Prepare to be swept away by the sheer artistry of the composers and the exquisite soundscapes they've created.
Let's begin with a journey into the historical landscape of ballet music, beginning with the earliest examples from the 17th century. The roots of ballet music run deep, evolving alongside the dance form itself. The origins can be traced back to the courtly ballets of France, which incorporated instrumental music as a way to enhance the theatrical experience. The early ballets featured lively music, usually with a strong emphasis on the beat, which propelled the dancers forward.
In the 18th century, the development of the ballet d'action, a ballet that incorporated dramatic plots and characters, opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for composers. Music began to play a more prominent role in shaping the narrative, highlighting the emotions of the characters and creating dramatic shifts in the action. This is perhaps most exemplified by the work of the iconic Italian composer Luigi Boccherini, who wrote some of the most memorable and elegant music for the ballets of the era.
The 19th century witnessed the emergence of the ballet fantastique, characterized by its theatrical spectacle, lavish costumes, and fantastical plots. These ballets demanded more complex music, often incorporating elements of opera and operetta. A truly revolutionary moment in ballet history, the 19th century saw composers like Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky rise to prominence. He gave the world timeless works that have shaped our understanding of ballet, such as "Swan Lake", "The Sleeping Beauty", and "The Nutcracker", which continue to enchant audiences with their hauntingly beautiful scores.
Moving into the 20th century, a new wave of ballet composers emerged, each with their own unique voice. Sergei Prokofievās scores for ballets like "Romeo and Juliet" and "Cinderella" still stir the soul, as does Igor Stravinsky's work such as "The Rite of Spring". These composers broke away from the traditional structures of classical music and created more daring, innovative, and sometimes dissonant music, echoing the changing aesthetics of ballet itself.
And now, here we are in 2025, witnessing the fusion of classical tradition with contemporary styles. It's a melting pot where neoclassical ballets are being created alongside more abstract, minimalist, and experimental pieces, each pushing the boundaries of the art form. This creative evolution is reflected in the music composed for contemporary ballets, where the possibilities are endless, with composers drawing on everything from electronic music and hip hop to traditional folk music.
We have a truly captivating range of new talents. Just last month, there was the exciting launch of 'The Firebird Reimagined'. This new production took inspiration from Stravinsky's iconic score but featured modern choreography and stunning set design that was almost literally bursting with colour, echoing the music. The musical score for the new version has even integrated some elements of electropop to further modernise the original work.
But this journey into the heart of contemporary ballet music doesnāt just focus on the sound itself. The costumes play such a vital role, and I just canāt help but notice a recent trend thatās so effortlessly chic! For the new version of 'Swan Lake', there was an incredibly bold move to pair a sleek and understated black leotard with the iconic, traditional pink tutu. What could be more strikingly sophisticated than this classic look given a 21st century makeover? The bold contrasts are so intriguing - it reminds me of the fusion of tradition and modernity that we see in so much of today's music and ballet.
Letās look at some examples of music that weāre seeing in contemporary ballets:
The Role of the Score in a Ballet
The relationship between music and dance in ballet is symbiotic. Music is more than just background noise, it is a living force that breathes life into the dance. Just as a dancer must move to the rhythm and melody, so too must the composer write music that enhances and elevates the movement. A talented composer will not only use music to accentuate the action of the choreography, but also to create and develop character, depict emotional shifts and even to transport the audience into a new realm.
A powerful example of the symbiotic connection between ballet and music is āThe Rite of Springā, one of Stravinsky's most impactful compositions. This balletās controversial premiere was in part due to its unconventional music that broke away from the norms of traditional ballet scores. The unfamiliar rhythmic patterns and use of dissonance served to further disrupt the expectations of the audience at the time, while mirroring the dissonant choreography, which, unlike conventional ballets, contained harsh and angular movements, drawing a great deal of the attention to its physicality and strength. It is music that demands a unique and dynamic choreography and movement to express its full power. Stravinsky's genius is perhaps best exemplified here by the fact that both music and choreography were pushing boundaries to give audiences a totally new kind of ballet experience. What started out as shock turned into recognition and applause for a groundbreaking, artistic work.
In contemporary ballets, we are seeing a truly exciting shift where composers are looking beyond conventional approaches to scoring. This results in an unprecedented range of sound, structure, and even instrumentation being brought into ballet, with genres such as jazz, electronica and hip-hop inspiring innovative pieces.
Think of the sheer emotional range in the musical palette of a contemporary choreographer who draws on a range of genres. Perhaps the scene is meant to depict joy, so the music features a pulsing and uplifting jazz rhythm. In contrast, when we see a scene filled with pain, it's often accompanied by eerie melodies played on a synthesizer. The sound can range from melancholic, ethereal, or downright menacing as composers utilize a wide range of instruments that may be unexpected for audiences accustomed to the string sections of a traditional orchestra. It creates a very specific kind of sensory experience.
Contemporary ballets have even expanded the world of musical performance itself, with music sometimes even becoming integral to the sets. In some pieces, dancers move through installations of instruments that become part of the scenic design and even actively change the soundscape of the piece in real-time, leading to more spontaneous and dynamic musical experiences for both audiences and performers.
Here are just a few ways that the music in a ballet creates a dramatic effect for audiences:
- Creating Atmosphere : The music has a distinct power to set the scene and transport the audience into the world of the ballet. This could involve using gentle and lyrical music for scenes of romance or stark and rhythmic music for scenes of danger.
- Emotional Heightening : Music can intensify a dancer's performance and emphasize their emotion, be it sadness, joy or anger, making the dance experience richer and more moving for the audience.
- Underscoring the Narrative : Just as a musical score might punctuate moments in a movie or theatre performance, the music can enhance or reinforce the story and plot elements unfolding in a ballet. A piece of music can foreshadow the impending danger that the main character will face. A waltz might suggest a scene filled with love or romantic intrigue.
- Orchestrating Action: Music can be used to orchestrate transitions within a piece, signifying a change in scene, a shift in time, or an escalation in the intensity of the action. A change of music will alert the audience to a change of direction, a different location, a time jump, or the development of an idea in the choreography.
The Future of Ballet Music
While ballet music has come a long way from the Baroque era, its evolution continues, with no sign of stopping. The music we are hearing now is becoming more accessible through wider use of streaming platforms and video on demand. More ballet productions are being made available to a global audience than ever before.
A growing generation of composers are infusing their music with the sounds of the world around us, taking inspiration from the myriad styles of music that permeate our modern lives, while still understanding the rich musical language of ballet history. This fusion of classical heritage with modern sensibilities creates a rich and dynamic soundscape that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats and enthralled.
What can we expect in the years to come?
- A More Diverse and Inclusive Approach: This means music that more accurately reflects the diverse tapestry of global musical traditions. This includes incorporating sounds from different cultures and genres that might have traditionally been underrepresented in the world of ballet. This trend promises to bring even more exciting possibilities for ballet composition in the future.
- Increased Interaction between Music and Technology : With technology continuously evolving, we can anticipate seeing a wider range of musical instruments being used in ballets and new technologies that enhance the musical experience, such as AI or interactive digital elements incorporated into the performances.
- A Blending of Ballet and Contemporary Music: This might involve choreographing pieces to more experimental contemporary works. Perhaps a piece set to music specifically written by one of today's pop music giants. It will be a bold fusion of high and low art forms.
As we close our curtain on our journey into the heart of ballet music today, the one thing that remains consistent through the centuries is the magic of this dance form's power to captivate. Whether the music comes from an elegant Baroque composer or from the forefront of the electronica movement, the dance remains enchanting.
With this musical journey behind us, it is clear that ballet music has had, and continues to have, a transformative impact on this dance art form. It is a powerful catalyst that guides, propels, and even pushes the dance into new, thrilling territories. This art form is continuously re-inventing itself. And so the magic continues.