Ah, ballet music. It's the whisper of wind through the tulle, the crackle of satin underfoot, the delicate thrum of a beating heart set to a crescendo. It's the soul of graceful movement, the whisper of storytelling woven through every note. And today, dear reader, we're stepping onto the stage, onto the pointe shoes, and delving deep into the captivating world of ballet music.
20th December 2024 marks a particularly exciting moment in our dance calendar - a moment brimming with vibrant premières, the return of old favourites, and the launch of groundbreaking productions. As a self-proclaimed dance devotee, my calendar is crammed full of reminders for performances and rehearsals, but it's always the music that first catches my ear and steals my attention.
This season, we've seen a resurgence in composers rediscovering the inherent beauty of the classical repertoire, drawing on the genius of Tchaikovsky, the delicate elegance of Debussy, and the dynamic energy of Stravinsky. It's been a joyous journey revisiting the giants of the past, witnessing how these titans of music continue to speak to contemporary choreographers and audiences.
But the excitement of ballet music is not confined to the past. The contemporary landscape of music composition is burgeoning, overflowing with bold new voices and innovative scores. New pieces for the stage offer a vibrant tapestry of styles - everything from electronica-infused compositions to cinematic scores to those with a touch of jazz and the intoxicating whispers of world music. It’s truly thrilling to see such experimentation alongside the continued adoration for the classics.
Here's a quick look at some of the ballet-related musical highlights of the season that has my toes tapping and my soul soaring:- **A Dream of the Ancients: A World Premiere of a ballet by Sasha Ivanov - 18 December 2024** - A vibrant score infused with an eclectic blend of world music influences promises a feast for the ears. Sasha is one of my favourite contemporary choreographers; a true genius at using music as the bedrock of his creations.
- **"The Whispers of Forgotten Dreams," choreographed by Eva Laurent at the Royal Opera House - 19 December 2024 **- A stunning return for this talented choreographer and a score that evokes a world of emotion, with subtle whispers that escalate into soaring crescendos - absolutely exquisite.
- **A special one-night performance by Sergei Beshinski - 20th December 2024. ** - Now, a rare treat for music aficionados: a performance by the legendary Sergei Beshinski himself! His innovative approach to the use of traditional instrumentation - a haunting blend of violins, harpsichord, and oboe, promises to create an atmosphere both powerful and intimate.
And on a completely unrelated note - my wardrobe is as bursting with excitement as the stage! A new, limited-edition leotard just landed in my dressing room - a silk creation, with intricate detailing, that is the absolute epitome of dancewear elegance. The delicate embroidery across the bodice reflects the soft pastel pink hues of a ballerina's tutu. A must-have for any dancer who loves the artistry of both performance and style.
Ballet music is more than just a score - it's an intricate dance between emotion and artistry. It’s the language that weaves a narrative through the movements, the thread that pulls the entire performance together. As I listen to the orchestra strike up for the final scene of a ballet, my breath often catches and my heart soars with a blend of excitement, nostalgia, and sheer delight. The music transcends words and offers a shared language - the language of emotion - that speaks directly to the soul. And with every performance, I fall just a little deeper in love with its captivating beauty.
So, while I’m eagerly awaiting these enchanting performances and soaking up the beauty of the current ballet season, my inner dance critic is already anticipating the magical sounds that await us in the coming year. For the music - just like ballet itself - is a never-ending journey of artistic discovery and an undeniably powerful force for expression.