The origin of the nutcracker, a classic christmas story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a familys christmas eve celebration. The nutcracker suite by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position. Really want to play it in final exam at college but need to get started on it soon as it sounds hard. The company has pioneered the idea of the series and proudly includes series of such composers as prokofiev, tchaikovsky, parry, walton, grainger, berkeley and bridge. Tchaikovsky worked very closely with the ballet master to write music to dance to, and previns version is faithful to that intent. The final and most popular of ballet of his career was a christmasthemed ballet that tells the story of a young girl. The secret story behind tchaikovskys mysterious celesta. When tchaikovsky discovered the celesta in 1891, it had been invented just five years earlier and unveiled at pariss 1889 exposition universelle.
The nutcracker ballet and suite tchaikovskys magical music. The celesta is a musical instrument, probably best known as a. On a visit to paris, tchaikovsky heard the celesta for the first time and was so impressed by its heavenly sweet sounds that he ordered the instrument, thus becoming the first composer to use it in the history of russian music. I am just wondering why tchaikovsky chose to use the celesta in the nutcracker. The number was choreographed by lev ivanov to music written by tchaikovsky. The music in the nutcracker ballet is very light and sweet. Tchaikovsky asked his published to acquire one for his new ballet, but to keep it a complete secret. Ive listened to all acclaimed recordings of this masterpiece by late tchaikovsky, this one towers high over the rest. The nutcracker is often performed during the christmas season due to its content, and many families make it an annual tradition to attend a performance. Discover what makes tchaikovskys nutcracker sound like. One novelty in tchaikovskys original score was the use of the celesta, a new instrument tchaikovsky had discovered in paris. The pianist and conductor mikhail pletnev adapted some of the music into a virtuosic concert suite for piano solo.
Hoffmanns the nutcracker and the king of the mice or the nutcracker and the mouse king. The original production was staged by marius petipa on 18 december 1892, premiering on a doublebill with a now semiforgotten tchaikovsky opera, iolanta. Pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky is widely considered the most popular russian composer in history. Table of contents the nutcracker by christopher wheeldon. Tchaikovsky s ballets and, even better, the life and ballet of lev ivanov, both by roland john wiley. At the time of the ballet premiered in 1892, the newlyinvented celesta provided tchaikovsky s final ballet with a signature sound that would become evocative of the holiday season itself. Tchaikovskys use of the celesta in the nutcracker a spoonful of sugar. However, ernest chausson was probably the first to use it, in his littleknown incidental music to a production of shakespeares tempest, written in 1888 four years before pit completed the nutcracker. The story was based on a childrens fairy tale by e. Hoffmanns original story was darker than the ballet, but the plot remains largely the same. A magical musical journey to the land where all good dreams come true tchaikovsky the nutcracker is published by abc classics in years of classical music. Tchaikovsky s adaptation of the story the nutcracker and the mouse king by e. Pianist alexandra dariescu presents a reimagining of the classic ballet tale of tchaikovskys nutcracker, with alex herself taking the role of clara, now a little girl longing to fulfil her dream of becoming a pianist.
Tchaikovsky composed the nutcracker, one of the most beloved ballets of all time, begrudgingly. One novelty in tchaikovskys original score was the use of the celesta, a percussion instrument, which produces a belllike sound. Picking apart the timeless appeal of the nutcracker. This work was carried out at the end of august 1892 46. In fact, the nutcracker didnt initially impress critics, and even tchaikovsky himself wasnt very fond of his own score, but would later appreciate it much more. Tchaikovskys adaptation of the story the nutcracker and the mouse king by e. The nutcracker russian shchelkunchik, french cassenoisette is a ballet in two acts and three scenes, op. Tchaikovsky began work in february 1891, continuing his efforts while on an american tour later that year for the opening of carnegie hall. Pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky the nutcracker is a classic christmas tale first adapted by alexandre dumas from e. Tchaikovsky the nutcracker complete 1974, gatefold. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. I know that he went to great lengths to acquire the instrument.
Cw 14, is a fairy ballet in 2 acts and 3 scenes, written and orchestrated by tchaikovsky between february 1891 and april 1892. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. Arranged for and performed on solo violin by manaka matsumoto. The nutcracker is a twoact ballet, originally choreographed by marius petipa and lev ivanov with a score by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky op. The nutcracker site provides a central location for nutcracker ballet information.
Miniature overture, march, dance of the sugar plum fairy, trepak russian dance. The nutcracker is a twoact ballet, with a score by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. Petipa took charge of the storyline of the ballet and created two scenes based on the alexander dumas adaptation of eta hoffmans the nutcracker and the mouse king. Tchaikovsky was one of the first major composers to use a new musical instrument called a celesta. Dec 22, 2015 how tchaikovskys nutcracker became a christmas classic how did tchaikovskys ballet become a staple of the festive season. Music for stringed instruments, percussion and celesta concerto grosso. The nutcracker complete licensed to youtube by the orchard music on behalf of cobra entertainment llc. Hoffmann was commissioned by the director of the imperial theatres ivan vsevolozhsky in 1891. His homeward journey took him through paris, where he discovered a new instrument. Subscribe to our channel and be the first to enjoy classical concerts in hd. I cherish the nutcracker, and its moment of repose against the busy world. Dance of the sugar plum fairy simple english wikipedia, the. He was writing an opera, iolanta, for the mariinsky theatre that was scheduled to premiere during the winter of 1892. Tchaikovsky compiled his suite from the ballet the nutcracker, op.
Clemency burtonhill goes in search of the nutcrackers universal. Tchaikovskys use of the celesta in the nutcracker how tchaikovsky used an entirely new instrument to score the sugar plum fairys famous solo. There is a clarity and precision to the orchestras playing that gives tchaikovskys music sparkle, while gergiev breathes life into the dances and few moments of drama that are in the story. Benjamin melsky principal celesta grace rose kim kuanghao, huang. How tchaikovskys nutcracker became a holiday tradition. Have been desperately trying to track it down and had no luck. Learn about the nutcracker by tchaikovsky galaxy music notes. Tchaikovsky based the voice of the sugar plum fairy on a new instrument he discovered in paris. It was the only one of his three ballet suites to have been compiled an published during the composers lifetime. How tchaikovskys nutcracker became a holiday tradition renee montagne talks with miles hoffman about the history of tchaikovskys the nutcracker suite. If you are familiar with the nutcracker, this is exactly how you would expect to hear it. Oct 01, 2015 the celesta came to fame after its appearance in tchaikovskys ballet the nutcracker. The nutcracker music of tchaikovsky nutcracker ballet music.
It sounds as if svetlanov is determined to show the world that nutcracker is as great as wagners ring. Cw 32, popularly known as the nutcracker suite, in january and february 1892. This shopping feature will continue to load items when the enter key is pressed. Latecomers will not be seated until an appropriate time in the concert. Jun 03, 2011 if youre wondering, that instrument is a celesta a relative of a piano where the hammers, instead of hitting strings, hit metal plates, like a metal xylophone. Recorded november 10, 1926 at the academy of music in philadelphia. Nutcracker performance listings are provided by state and city and by the company performing the nutcracker ballet. The libretto is adapted from the german romantic author e. Not an instrument that you come across a lot, but tchaikovsky took an unusual instrument and built an extraordinary scene with it. His work includes the the sleeping beauty and the nutcracker. The nutcracker suite by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky songfacts.
Tap your feet to dance music from still and copland, be awed by joan towers response to coplands famous fanfare, and thrill to the coltraneinspired virtuosity of john adams spirited saxophone concerto. Public domain compositions, umpi, solar music rights management, and 7 music rights societies. Arabian dance, chinese dance, dance of the flutes, waltz of the flowers. I have two excellent and unrivaled books that detail the first production of the nutcracker. The story behind the story truly there would be a reason to go mad were it not for music.
The nutcracker ballet was the first work by a major composer which made use the celesta like a piano, but more glassy. Hoffmann was set to music by tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by marius petipa. The nutcracker is a twoact ballet by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. Not to be confused with glockenspiels or toy pianos, the celesta is a nineteenthcentury instrument most recognizable for its mischievously joyful lines in tchaikovsky s nutcracker, particularly in dance of the sugar plum fairies. If youre wondering, that instrument is a celesta a relative of a piano where the hammers, instead of hitting strings, hit metal plates, like a metal xylophone. That is the case with this complete recording of nutcracker recorded ddd 1988. The chicago symphony orchestra nutcracker suite op. She has danced principal roles in romeo and juliet, the nutcracker, the sleeping.
How tchaikovsky used an entirely new instrument to score the sugar plum fairys famous solo. The nutcracker by orchestra of the kirov opera, st. Tchaikovskys nutcracker, the story of a young girls journey to a magical land on christmas eve, is perhaps not only the composers most famous work but also one of the most famous ballets of all time. What is the instrument used in the nutcracker that makes the tingly sound. The famed nutcracker ballet by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky will be presented for the first time in its entirety in new delhi as the grand culmination of the festival of russian culture in india.
Tchaikovsky had discovered the newlyinvented instrument just before departing for the u. The paraphrase on tchaikovsky s flower waltz is a successful piano arrangement from one of the movements from the nutcracker by the pianist and composer percy grainger. Hoffmanns 24 january 1776 25 june 1822 story the nutcracker and the mouse king, by way of alexandre dumas adapted story the nutcracker. Be sure to check out the nutcracker site before you decide where you will see a holiday performance of the nutcracker. Despite this incongruous start, these days the nutcracker is a christmas staple. Nevertheless, the composers reverence for rococo and late 18th century music can be detected in passages such as the overture, the entree des parents, and tempo di grossvater in act i.
However it is true that tchaikovsky did have his moments of frustration while composing. The dance of the sugar plum fairy is a dance for a ballerina. Just a few decades after its introduction, both the ballet production and tchaikovskys score were popular all over the world, and still are today. Tchaikovsky the nutcracker, act 2 rozhdestvensky youtube. The recording of the complete nutcracker is just one example of their particular skills. The chicago symphony orchestra discography discogs. If you have a dancer in the family, or you are looking for a classic nutcracker, you cant go wrong with andre previns. Title page, contents, instrumentation, and overture act i, no. It uses the high parts of the orchestra and clever combinations of woodwind instruments to create a dolllike fantasy soundworld. An interesting footnote to the score of the nutcracker is the famous use of the celesta in the dance of the sugarplum fairy. The nutcracker was arranged for piano by sergey taneyev, but in view of the difficulty of this arrangement, tchaikovsky made a simplified one of his own. The first thing i noticed about this recording is that you can hear a complete difference between the nutcracker and the symphony no. Dec 21, 2011 picking apart the timeless appeal of the nutcracker. Dance of the sugar plum fairy by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky.
Shop for vinyl, cds and more from the chicago symphony orchestra at the discogs. Following the huge success of the sleeping beauty ballet in 1890, the tsar wanted another hit from tchaikovsky and choreographer marius petipa. Incidentally, tchaikovsky is often credited with introducing the celesta to the classical soundscape. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The nutcracker by tchaikovsky youtube octopuss garden. Having all of tchaikovskys immortal suite the nutcracker available on a single release is one thing, but this particular reading is something else entirely. Leopold stokowski conducting the philadelphia orchestra. Tchaikovsky made a selection of eight of the numbers from the ballet before the ballets december 1892 premiere, forming the nutcracker suite, op. Theres few works that ask for as much charm as tchaikovsky s nutcracker, which probably causes some justified apprehension on the part of those who are looking into this disc. The nutcracker program book 2018 by the joffrey ballet issuu.
The orchard music on behalf of rainbow productions ltd. Tchaikovsky made a selection of eight of the numbers from the ballet, forming the nutcracker suite, op. Why did tchaikovsky use the celesta in dance of the sugar plum fairy. The nutcracker seems to be recorded at a slight distance from the orchestra pit, whereas the symphony sounds like the mikes were right in. Even if you are only halfpaying attention to it, you can still.
Hoffmanns 24 january 1776 25 june 1822 story the nutcracker and the mouse king a story written in 1816, by e. The celesta was invented in 1886 by auguste mustel and tchaikovsky came across the instrument five years later while in paris. The celesta is one of the featured instruments in tchaikovskys the nutcracker. Written in the early 1890s, this was the last ballet score tchaikovsky wrote. The nutcracker program book 2019 by the joffrey ballet issuu. The instrument had a clear, belllike tone with ethereal notes, perfect for the fairytale ambiance of the nutcracker. Hopefully as time allows i can make some revisions to.
By gavin plumley classical music blogger 12 november 20 at 10. Tchaikovskys famous works that he hated mclerran journal. Be sure to subscribe for the latest score videos pyotr tchaikovsky the nutcracker full ballet performed by the rotterdams philharmonisch orkest, jongensk. Some versions are just highlights, but not this one. Carl racine, carol baum, carroll martin, catherine brubaker, charles geyer. The nutcracker 18911892 in his career, tchaikovsky composed only three ballets. Join in our thrilling celebration of the joy, energy, and diversity of american music. The nutcracker mikhail pletnev, russian national orchestra on allmusic 2011.
The nutcrackers celesta with kelly zuercher youtube. The sound of this early stereo recording is still very good, if not state of the art, and it is available at rockbottom. The libretto is adapted from the prussian romantic author of fantasy and gothic horror e. Rattle has often been accused of fussiness, of letting the line drag to the point where the charm is lost. The paraphrase on tchaikovskys flower waltz is a successful piano arrangement from one of the movements from the nutcracker by the pianist and composer percy grainger. This was tchaikovskys last ballet, from which he compiled a. How tchaikovskys nutcracker became a christmas classic how did tchaikovskys ballet become a staple of the festive season. Tchaikovsky wrote in a letter to his publisher, i have discovered a new instrument in paris, something between a piano and a glockenspiel, with a divinely beautiful tone.
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