The libretto is adapted from the prussian romantic author of fantasy and gothic horror e. She has danced principal roles in romeo and juliet, the nutcracker, the sleeping. If you are familiar with the nutcracker, this is exactly how you would expect to hear it. The music in the nutcracker ballet is very light and sweet. Following the huge success of the sleeping beauty ballet in 1890, the tsar wanted another hit from tchaikovsky and choreographer marius petipa. The sound of this early stereo recording is still very good, if not state of the art, and it is available at rockbottom. 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.
Be sure to subscribe for the latest score videos pyotr tchaikovsky the nutcracker full ballet performed by the rotterdams philharmonisch orkest, jongensk. Hoffmann was commissioned by the director of the imperial theatres ivan vsevolozhsky in 1891. The dance of the sugar plum fairy is a dance for a ballerina. 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. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. How tchaikovskys nutcracker became a christmas classic how did tchaikovskys ballet become a staple of the festive season. Tchaikovsky worked very closely with the ballet master to write music to dance to, and previns version is faithful to that intent. Tchaikovsky s ballets and, even better, the life and ballet of lev ivanov, both by roland john wiley. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. Pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky is widely considered the most popular russian composer in history. Why did tchaikovsky use the celesta in dance of the sugar plum fairy. Hoffmanns 24 january 1776 25 june 1822 story the nutcracker and the mouse king a story written in 1816, by e.
The nutcracker mikhail pletnev, russian national orchestra on allmusic 2011. By gavin plumley classical music blogger 12 november 20 at 10. Cw 32, popularly known as the nutcracker suite, in january and february 1892. Miniature overture, march, dance of the sugar plum fairy, trepak russian dance. 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. Tchaikovsky made a selection of eight of the numbers from the ballet, forming the nutcracker suite, op. Tchaikovsky compiled his suite from the ballet the nutcracker, op. One novelty in tchaikovskys original score was the use of the celesta, a new instrument tchaikovsky had discovered in paris. Tchaikovsky had discovered the newlyinvented instrument just before departing for the u. Arranged for and performed on solo violin by manaka matsumoto.
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. Just a few decades after its introduction, both the ballet production and tchaikovskys score were popular all over the world, and still are today. The recording of the complete nutcracker is just one example of their particular skills. The final and most popular of ballet of his career was a christmasthemed ballet that tells the story of a young girl. Public domain compositions, umpi, solar music rights management, and 7 music rights societies. The celesta was invented in 1886 by auguste mustel and tchaikovsky came across the instrument five years later while in paris. I cherish the nutcracker, and its moment of repose against the busy world. Even if you are only halfpaying attention to it, you can still. The nutcracker ballet was the first work by a major composer which made use the celesta like a piano, but more glassy. The celesta is one of the featured instruments in tchaikovskys the nutcracker. Ive listened to all acclaimed recordings of this masterpiece by late tchaikovsky, this one towers high over the rest. Shop for vinyl, cds and more from the chicago symphony orchestra at the discogs.
Picking apart the timeless appeal of the nutcracker. 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. 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. Cw 14, is a fairy ballet in 2 acts and 3 scenes, written and orchestrated by tchaikovsky between february 1891 and april 1892. It uses the high parts of the orchestra and clever combinations of woodwind instruments to create a dolllike fantasy soundworld. Dec 22, 2015 how tchaikovskys nutcracker became a christmas classic how did tchaikovskys ballet become a staple of the festive season. Hoffmann was set to music by tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by marius petipa. The first thing i noticed about this recording is that you can hear a complete difference between the nutcracker and the symphony no. 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. Tchaikovsky made a selection of eight of the numbers from the ballet before the ballets december 1892 premiere, forming the nutcracker suite, op. 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. However it is true that tchaikovsky did have his moments of frustration while composing.
Really want to play it in final exam at college but need to get started on it soon as it sounds hard. 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. Having all of tchaikovskys immortal suite the nutcracker available on a single release is one thing, but this particular reading is something else entirely. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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. Pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky the nutcracker is a classic christmas tale first adapted by alexandre dumas from e. Hoffmanns the nutcracker and the king of the mice or the nutcracker and the mouse king. Not an instrument that you come across a lot, but tchaikovsky took an unusual instrument and built an extraordinary scene with it. 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. He was writing an opera, iolanta, for the mariinsky theatre that was scheduled to premiere during the winter of 1892.
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. The nutcracker is a twoact ballet by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. 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. Tchaikovskys adaptation of the story the nutcracker and the mouse king by e. It was the only one of his three ballet suites to have been compiled an published during the composers lifetime. The nutcracker by orchestra of the kirov opera, st. The story behind the story truly there would be a reason to go mad were it not for music. 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. Rattle has often been accused of fussiness, of letting the line drag to the point where the charm is lost. I know that he went to great lengths to acquire the instrument. Tchaikovsky based the voice of the sugar plum fairy on a new instrument he discovered in paris. How tchaikovsky used an entirely new instrument to score the sugar plum fairys famous solo.
The nutcrackers celesta with kelly zuercher youtube. Benjamin melsky principal celesta grace rose kim kuanghao, huang. Tchaikovsky the nutcracker, act 2 rozhdestvensky youtube. The nutcracker ballet and suite tchaikovskys magical music. 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. The nutcracker music of tchaikovsky nutcracker ballet music. The story was based on a childrens fairy tale by e. Latecomers will not be seated until an appropriate time in the concert.
Title page, contents, instrumentation, and overture act i, no. The nutcracker suite by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky songfacts. The nutcracker seems to be recorded at a slight distance from the orchestra pit, whereas the symphony sounds like the mikes were right in. The origin of the nutcracker, a classic christmas story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a familys christmas eve celebration. His work includes the the sleeping beauty and the nutcracker. The nutcracker by tchaikovsky youtube octopuss garden.
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. 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. An interesting footnote to the score of the nutcracker is the famous use of the celesta in the dance of the sugarplum fairy. 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. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Despite this incongruous start, these days the nutcracker is a christmas staple. What is the instrument used in the nutcracker that makes the tingly sound. Be sure to check out the nutcracker site before you decide where you will see a holiday performance of the nutcracker. The nutcracker site provides a central location for nutcracker ballet information. Oct 01, 2015 the celesta came to fame after its appearance in tchaikovskys ballet the nutcracker. Hoffmanns 24 january 1776 25 june 1822 story the nutcracker and the mouse king, by way of alexandre dumas adapted story the nutcracker. How tchaikovskys nutcracker became a holiday tradition. One novelty in tchaikovskys original score was the use of the celesta, a percussion instrument, which produces a belllike sound.
The pianist and conductor mikhail pletnev adapted some of the music into a virtuosic concert suite for piano solo. Table of contents the nutcracker by christopher wheeldon. Tchaikovsky asked his published to acquire one for his new ballet, but to keep it a complete secret. Tchaikovsky composed the nutcracker, one of the most beloved ballets of all time, begrudgingly. Written in the early 1890s, this was the last ballet score tchaikovsky wrote. The nutcracker program book 2019 by the joffrey ballet issuu. The nutcracker program book 2018 by the joffrey ballet issuu. The nutcracker russian shchelkunchik, french cassenoisette is a ballet in two acts and three scenes, op. Carl racine, carol baum, carroll martin, catherine brubaker, charles geyer.
Tchaikovsky s adaptation of the story the nutcracker and the mouse king by e. This work was carried out at the end of august 1892 46. Subscribe to our channel and be the first to enjoy classical concerts in hd. Music for stringed instruments, percussion and celesta concerto grosso. Some versions are just highlights, but not this one.
Dance of the sugar plum fairy simple english wikipedia, the. The nutcracker is a twoact ballet, originally choreographed by marius petipa and lev ivanov with a score by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky op. Tchaikovskys use of the celesta in the nutcracker how tchaikovsky used an entirely new instrument to score the sugar plum fairys famous solo. Clemency burtonhill goes in search of the nutcrackers universal. The secret story behind tchaikovskys mysterious celesta.
Incidentally, tchaikovsky is often credited with introducing the celesta to the classical soundscape. The orchard music on behalf of rainbow productions ltd. Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. Have been desperately trying to track it down and had no luck.
When tchaikovsky discovered the celesta in 1891, it had been invented just five years earlier and unveiled at pariss 1889 exposition universelle. It sounds as if svetlanov is determined to show the world that nutcracker is as great as wagners ring. Tchaikovsky the nutcracker complete 1974, gatefold. That is the case with this complete recording of nutcracker recorded ddd 1988. How tchaikovskys nutcracker became a holiday tradition renee montagne talks with miles hoffman about the history of tchaikovskys the nutcracker suite. The nutcracker complete licensed to youtube by the orchard music on behalf of cobra entertainment llc. Dance of the sugar plum fairy by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky.
Tchaikovsky began work in february 1891, continuing his efforts while on an american tour later that year for the opening of carnegie hall. Tchaikovskys famous works that he hated mclerran journal. The original production was staged by marius petipa on 18 december 1892, premiering on a doublebill with a now semiforgotten tchaikovsky opera, iolanta. The instrument had a clear, belllike tone with ethereal notes, perfect for the fairytale ambiance of the nutcracker. Hoffmanns original story was darker than the ballet, but the plot remains largely the same. Tchaikovskys use of the celesta in the nutcracker a spoonful of sugar. The nutcracker is a twoact ballet, with a score by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. Discover what makes tchaikovskys nutcracker sound like. His homeward journey took him through paris, where he discovered a new instrument. The libretto is adapted from the german romantic author e. Tchaikovsky was one of the first major composers to use a new musical instrument called a celesta. Learn about the nutcracker by tchaikovsky galaxy music notes. If you have a dancer in the family, or you are looking for a classic nutcracker, you cant go wrong with andre previns.
This shopping feature will continue to load items when the enter key is pressed. Dec 21, 2011 picking apart the timeless appeal of the nutcracker. Join in our thrilling celebration of the joy, energy, and diversity of american music. The nutcracker 18911892 in his career, tchaikovsky composed only three ballets. This was tchaikovskys last ballet, from which he compiled a. 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. The nutcracker suite by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position. Hopefully as time allows i can make some revisions to. The celesta is a musical instrument, probably best known as a. 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 chicago symphony orchestra discography discogs. Nutcracker performance listings are provided by state and city and by the company performing the nutcracker ballet.
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