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Tchaikovsky & The Nutcracker
Overview:
Join Active Minds as we explore the genius of Tchaikovsky and his magical masterpiece ballet, The Nutcracker. We’ll examine the life and times of the composer as we seek to understand the enigma that was Tchaikovsky. We'll present a brief history of ballet in general and listen to musical samples of The Nutcracker while we discuss the fantastic tale of good versus evil as portrayed in the dreams of the young heroine Clara. No previous knowledge required.
Key Lecture Points:
• Despite the fact that Tchaikovsky was initially shunned by many of his fellow Russian composers for not being “Russian enough,” he became the exemplar of Russian music to the world.
• Tchaikovsky lived a sad and dark life surrounded by a very strict set of social mores; nonetheless, The Nutcracker music is lighthearted, singable and certainly danceable.
• Tchaikovsky relied strongly on the financial support of a mysterious benefactor Nadezhda von Meck, who strongly stipulated that she and the composer never meet, which they never did.
• Tchaikovsky’s three ballet masterpieces, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker, are an immense contribution to the world of dance and helped establish classical ballet as an internationally viable and admired art form.
• The history of ballet includes a list of dancers and choreographers who dictated the music to be written. Tchaikovsky insisted on working with other artists to create his music.
• The Nutcracker ballet is based on the story "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice" by E.T.A. Hoffman. Although what is seen on the stage today is different in detail from the original story, the basic plot remains the same: The story of a young girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.
• When choreographer Marius Petipa had the idea to choreograph the story into a ballet, it was actually based on a revision by Alexander Dumas (Three Musketeers). His version reflects more of what we have come to love as The Nutcracker ballet.
• The 1892 premiere of The Nutcracker failed with both the public and critics. Unfortunately, Tchaikovsky never knew what a huge success the ballet became, as he died less than a year later.
• The Nutcracker has become a mainstay of American musical habits, with hundreds of productions annually during the holiday season.
• Most people are introduced to The Nutcracker by way of a medley of eight dances entitled Nutcracker Suite, to be played in a standard concert setting and part of an orchestra’s main repertoire. The suite has also been orchestrated for small chamber ensembles, guitars and even rock band.
Thumbnail Synopsis:
The Party Scene: The Stahlbaum (Silberhaus) family is hosting their annual Christmas Eve party in their opulent home. The guests and godfather Drosselmeyer—a superb toymaker—arrive. He presents Clara a beautiful Nutcracker. Clara’s jealous brother, Fritz grabs the nutcracker and promptly breaks it. Heartbroken, Clara looks on as Drosselmyer magically mends the toy. After the party is over and the guests have left, Clara returns to the tree and falls asleep with the nutcracker in her arms...and the dream begins.
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. Clara slays the Mouse King by throwing her slipper at him and all the mice flee.
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: The Spanish Dance; The Arabian Dance; The Russian Dance; The Chinese Dance; The Mirliton Dance; 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.
Exploration Questions:
• How is Tchaikovsky honored throughout the world of music?
• How is Russian ballet different from French and/or Italian ballet?
• What are the circumstances surrounding Tchaikovsky’s death?
Reflective Questions:
• When was the first time you heard or saw The Nutcracker?
• Can you hum one or more tunes from The Nutcracker?
More to Explore:
• The Nutcracker: www.nutcrackerballet.net
• The Nutcracker: http://dance.about.com
• Tchaikovsky: www.tchaikovsky-research.net
• Ballet: www.ccs.neu.edu
Books For Further Reading:
• Brown, David, Tchaikovsky: The Man and His Music. Pegasus, 2009, paperback, 496 pages. This is the valedictory work is superbly crafted for a general reader. Brown's style is easy and confiding, managing to be knowledgeable and illuminating about the music without burying it in technical jargon. Especially written for music lovers who wish to gain much more insight into Tchaikovsky's music, this concise yet thorough volume will give great pleasure to serious classical music listeners. Click here to order.
• Poznansky, Alexander. Tchaikovsky: The Quest for the Inner Man. Schirmer Trade Books, 2000, 679 pages. The fullest, most revealing account to date of Tchaikovsky's private life. A remarkable book casts only an indirect light on the relationship between Tchaikovsky's life and art, as the author omits extended discussion of the music. A fascinating glimpse of life in Russia. As in most serious biographies of this genre, the music is mentioned only as it illuminates a study of Tchaikovsky’s personality.
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