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Program Notes |
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Program Notes |
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Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker |
Peter Ilyich Tchiakovsky (1840-1893) was already the most prominent composer in Russia when the legendary choreographer Marius Petipa (1818-1910) commissioned him, in 1891, to write the music for a children's ballet. It was to be based on E.T.A. Hoffman's story, "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," but the original story was rather gloomy, so Petipa used the much brighter adaptation of the story by French novelist Alexandre Dumas the Elder. The music Tchaikovsky wrote for it is sheer delight, from the adorable "toy" overture to its grand "Apotheosis" waltz at the finale. To enhance the magical, childlike, and at times exotic qualities of the music, Tchaikovsky employed actual toy trumpets and drums, a variety of percussion instruments (including a rattle, castanets, and a tambourine), and the celesta, at the time a new keyboard instrument, beautifully used in the ethereal Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The music is so evocative — of childhood, of Christmas, of magic — that it has become the most frequently performed ballet in the world. Surprisingly, however, it was not a great success at its Russian premiere in 1892, and even Tchaikovsky was not happy with it. He died the following year, never knowing how beloved his Christmas ballet would become (although his "Nutcracker Suite" of tunes from the ballet, intended for concert performance, did enjoy great popularity in his lifetime). It was not until George Balanchine choreographed it for the New York City Ballet in 1954 — using children in the roles of Clara and the Nutcracker —that it became an annual holiday tradition worldwide.
(Adapted from NutcrackerBallet.net)
The Party Scene
It is Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house — a large and grand house with the most beautiful tree imaginable. The Stahlbaums are hosting their annual Christmas party, welcoming the arrival of their family and friends. The children, Clara and Fritz, are dancing and playing as they welcome their friends too.
The party grows festive with music and dance as godfather Drosselmeyer arrives. He is a skilled clock and toy maker and always full of surprises. Drosselmeyer draws everyone's attention as he presents two life-size dolls. They are the delight of the party, each taking a turn to dance.
The children begin to open their gifts. Although Drosselmeyer's gift to Fritz is quite nice, he gives Clara a beautiful Nutcracker that becomes the hit of the party. Fritz becomes jealous and, having a bit more spunk than a boy should have, grabs the nutcracker from Clara and promptly breaks it. Clara is heartbroken, but Drosselmeyer quickly repairs the Nutcracker with a handkerchief that he magically draws from the air.
As the evening grows late, the guests depart and the Stahlbaum family retires for the evening. Clara, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him, falling asleep with him in her arms.
The Fight Scene
As the clock strikes midnight strange things begin to happen. Clara begins shrinking as her beautiful Christmas tree grows high above her. The toys around the tree come to life while the room fills with an army of mice, lead by the fierce Mouse King. As the Nutcracker awakens, he leads his army of toy soldiers into battle with the mice. The Mouse King corners the Nutcracker and battles him one-on-one. The Nutcracker seems to be no match for the Mouse King.
The Nutcracker and his army can go on no longer and are captured by the mice and their King. Clara makes a final daring charge, throwing her slipper at the Mouse King and hitting him square on the head. The Mouse King drops to the floor, and the mice run away, carrying off their leader's lifeless body.
The Land of Snow
The Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes Clara on a journey to the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes.
The Land of Sweets
The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Prince tells her about their daring battle with the army of mice and she rewards them with a celebration of dances.
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The Spanish Dance |
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The Arabian Dance |
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The Russian Dance |
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The Chinese Dance |
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The Waltz of Flowers |
As a finale, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a beautiful Pas De Deux.
The Dream Ends
Clara awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker.
Program Notes by Linda Cantoni
Sources:
Sadie, Stanley (ed.), The
New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (Grove 1995)
Kramer, Jonathan D.,
Listen
to the Music (Schirmer 1991)
NutcrackerBallet.net