Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a (Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic)

Описание: P.Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake Suite, Op.20a, with with a theme-and-structure analysis and synchronized sheet music (score)
Performance: Leonard Bernstein (conductor), New York Philharmonic, 1960/05/02 Stereo, Manhattan Center, New York City
Analysis, Score Editing, Synch: ScoreMan

00:00 1. Miniature Overture
03:15 2. March
05:46 3. Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy
07:27 4. Russian Dance (Trepak)
08:29 5. Arabian Dance (coffee)
11:26 6. Chinese Dance (tea)
12:34 7. Dance of the Reed Flutes (Mirlitons)
14:42 8. Waltz of the Flowers

OVERVIEW

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a, is a collection of orchestral pieces drawn from his ballet The Nutcracker.
The music is colorful, imaginative, and immediately appealing, capturing a world of fantasy, childhood wonder, and fairy-tale charm.
Each movement paints a vivid musical scene, from delicate dances to sparkling orchestral effects, making the suite one of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved orchestral works.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Tchaikovsky composed The Nutcracker ballet in 1891–1892, based on E. T. A. Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
Before the ballet’s full premiere, he arranged a suite of eight numbers for concert performance, which was first performed in 1892.
Interestingly, the suite was an immediate success, even though the ballet itself initially received a more mixed reception.
By extracting the most charming and effective numbers, Tchaikovsky ensured that the music could stand on its own in the concert hall.

MUSICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Musically, The Nutcracker Suite is significant for its orchestral imagination and melodic invention.
Tchaikovsky uses brilliant orchestration to create distinctive colors, most famously with the celesta in the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” which introduced many listeners to the instrument for the first time.
The suite balances elegance, humor, and lyrical beauty, while also demonstrating Tchaikovsky’s gift for dance rhythm and theatrical timing.
Over time, the popularity of the suite helped elevate the ballet to its current iconic status, making The Nutcracker a cornerstone of both the orchestral and ballet repertoire.



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