The nutcracker is a twoact ballet, composed by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky in 1891. Pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky simple english wikipedia, the. It is a faithful friend, protector, and comforter, and for its sake alone, life in this world is worth living. Top 25 quotes by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky az quotes. But tchaikovsky raised the waltz to a higher level of sophistication thanks to his symphonic training and his devotion to ballet. Hey kids, meet peter ilyich tchaikovsky composer biography. The nutcracker is a russian ballet choreographed by marius petipa and lev ivanov with a score by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. His father, named ilya chaikovsky, was a mining business executive in votkinsk. His musical talent was so stellar, which led him to composing numerous symphonies, chamber compositions, vocal compositions, and dramatic works.
Petersburg, where george balanchine later studied piano in addition to his studies in dance. Wheeldons acclaimed turnofthecentury tale opens on christmas eve, 1892, mere months before the grand opening of the 1893 worlds fair, as young marie and her mother prepare for a christmas eve potluck celebration. His work includes the the sleeping beauty and the nutcracker. In 18881889, he made a successful conducting tour of europe, appearing in prague, leipzig, hamburg, paris, and london. Old style 25th april 184025th october 1893 was a russian composer. Pyotr peter ilyich tchaikovsky was one of the greatest and popular russian composers of all time. The nutcracker ballet, by peter ilyich tchaikovsky, op. His father worked as a superintendent of state mines. The nutcracker is about a magical christmas eve night when a toy nutcracker comes to life, turns into a prince, and he and his lover clara rule over the land of sweets. Tchaikovsky s most popular compositions include music for the ballets swan lake 1877, the sleeping beauty 1889, and the nutcracker 1892. Waltz of the flowers from the nutcracker peter ilyich. Tchaikovsky musics famous melodies and evocative moods. He is also famous for the romeo and juliet overture 1870 and celebrated for symphony no.
The ballet was based on a story called the nutcracker and the mouse king by the german writer e. Born on may 7, 1840, in votkinsk in the vyatka district of russia, peter ilyich tchaikovsky was the son of a successful engineer. Led by the valiant nutcracker, brave toy soldiers defend clara against giant mice. Peter began piano lessons at the age of five, and within three years he could read music as well as his teacher in 1850, peter s father was appointed as the director of the st. This is an undated file photo of russian composer peter tchaikovsky who composed the score for the nutcracker which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The suite is a wonderful 20 minute collection of some of the dances and pieces from the ballet. About tchaikovskys popular ballet, the nutcracker voa. Transformed into a prince, the nutcracker leads clara on a magical journey to the kingdom of sweets to meet the sugar plum fairy. The nutcracker tells a story about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on christmas eve and wages a battle against the evil mouse king. The nutcracker by peter tchaikovsky 1281 words 123 help me. Hinson and the story of the nutcracker is provided as. Peter ilyich tchaikovsky composer pacific northwest ballet.
The nutcracker is a twoact ballet, with a score by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky. A compilation of images of tchaikovsky, the russian composer along with some data of his life, and accompanied by waltz of the flowers. Tchaikovsky is one of the most popular and influential of all romantic composers. The music was composed by peter ilyich tchaikovsky and features the use of instruments like the celesta. The nutcracker, the third and last of the ballet scores by tchaikovsky, was preceded by the equally grand scores for swan lake and the sleeping beauty. Peter ilyich tchaikovsky wrote the music and marius petipa and lev ivanov created the ballets dance movements. This edition of tchaikovskys the nutcracker suite, arranged in 1960 by billy strayhorn and duke ellington, was assembled from the original manuscripts held in the strayhorn repository and the ellington collection of the smithsonian. Peter ilyich tchaikovsky was born in 1840 in presentday udmurtia, russia. Peter ilyich tchaikovsky biography life, family, parents. A famous ballet with loads of wellknown melodies in it. Tchaikovsky s enchanting masterpiece is an absolute audience favourite, thanks to hits such as the waltz of the flowers, trepak and dance of the sugar plum fairy, but also due to the composers ability to evoke a sense of wonder in listeners both young and old.
It was performed in st petersburg on october 16 1893. Nutcracker suite by peter ilyich tchaikovsky, hardcover. The nutcracker is a perrenial christmas favorite, and the wellknown theme of the tragic swanprincess from swan lake seems to embody the intense, heartfelt, romanticized suffering which tchaikovskys music gives voice to so often. The waltz is, of course, proudly claimed by the viennese as their own, and johann strauss is deservedly its king. Tchaikovsky didnt like the subject matter at first, but warmed to it later on. The last of his three ballets, it was first performed in december 1892. With the magnificent music of tchaikovsky and lavish sets and costumes, ben stevensons the nutcracker will delight the whole family. Pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky was born in votkinsk, a small town in vyatka governorate presentday udmurtia in the russian empire, into a family with a long line of military service. The nutcracker by orchestra of the kirov opera, st. His fathers ancestors were from ukraine and poland. It has since become a christmas tradition in many countries around the world. The nutcracker, written by peter ilych tchaikovsky in 1891, was first performed a week before christmas in 1892 history of the nutcracker. Tchaikovsky made a selection of eight of the numbers from the ballet, forming the nutcracker suite, op.
Peter ilyich tchaikovsky was one of the most loved of russian composers. His music is famous for its strong emotion, and his technical skill and strict work habits helped guarantee its lasting appeal. Peter ilyich tchaikovsky, valery gergiev, kirov orchestra. Even though he died very mysteriously at the age of 53. He was the second of six children five brothers and one sister. He wrote some of the worlds most popular concert and theatrical music in the current classical repertoire, including the ballets swan lake and the nutcracker, the. Pyotr peter ilyich tchaikovsky was born on may 7, 1840, in votkinsk, vyatka region, russia.
The nutcracker peter ilyich tchaikovsky 18401893 studied at the conservatory in st. Piano sheet music book by peter ilyich tchaikovsky 18401893. His father, ilya petrovich tchaikovsky, had served as a lieutenant colonel and engineer in the department of mines, and would manage the kamskovotkinsk ironworks. Pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky is widely considered the most popular russian composer in history. Peter ilyich tchaikovsky click the image below to view the nutcracker digital program book. Click on the tabs above to hear sample recordings and see scores.
In 18831893 tchaikovsky wrote his best symphonies no. Because, for the children and the big people who take them to a performance of the ballet, the great equalizer is the marvelous score by peter ilyich tchaikovsky. To assist pianists in creating a memorable performance, editorial notes are offered by dr. Pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky, the most popular russian composer of all time, best known for his ballets swan lake and the nutcracker. Born in votkinsk, russia, on may 7, 1840, tchaikovsky, the son of a mining engineer, had only occasional musical training as a youth peter ilych tchaikovsky 1.
This collection includes eight movements chosen and arranged for piano solo by tchaikovsky himself in 1891, adapted from his orchestral ballet. Petersburg and valery gergiev and tens of millions of other songs on all your devices with amazon music unlimited. Peter ilyich tchaikovsky was born in votkinsk, russia. Piotr ilich tchaikovsky waltz of the flowers from the. The nutcracker ballet was created in 1892 in moscow.