Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake Suite Context Composed between 1875-76, Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet Swan Lake was not an immediate hit with audiences and critics. After revisions were made and new productions came and went, now Swan Lake is one of the most popular ballets of all time. In Read more…
Sergei Prokofiev: Dance of the Knights Context Taken from his 1935 ballet Romeo and Juliet, Dance of the Knights, also known as Montagues and Capulets, is one of Sergei Prokofiev’s most iconic works. The piece is also included in Prokofiev’s second suite of ballet music from Romeo and Juliet. In Read more…
Bohuslav Martinů: La Revue de Cuisine Suite Context One of the leading Czech composers during the 20th Century, Bohuslav Martinů wrote over 400 works, including 6 symphonies, 15 operas, 14 ballet scores and a huge body of chamber and orchestral works. After finding his feet in the style of Neoclassicism, Read more…
Aaron Copland: Buckaroo Holiday Context Composed as part of the 1942 ballet Rodeo, this vivacious hoe-down is full of American spirit. Based on the theme from the first bar of William H. Stepp’s interpretation of the folk tune Bonaparte’s Retreat, the famous melody that Copland put together has remained one Read more…
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: March of the Toy Soldiers Context Tchaikovsky’s iconic March of the Toy Soldiers is a piece of orchestral music that features in the first act of his ever-loved festive ballet The Nutcracker. The ballet premiered at Christmastime in 1892, and has since been one of the most Read more…
Aram Khachaturian: Sabre Dance Context Aram Khachaturian’s ever-popular Sabre Dance is originally part of the final act of the composer’s 1942 ballet Gayane. The music accompanies the dancers as they show their skills with sabres. Sabre Dance has become a signature piece in 20th century repertoire, with it often being Read more…
Paul Dukas: Fanfare from La Péri Context Paul Dukas composed the music for the 1912 ballet La Péri just the year before and was initially titled Poème dansé en un tableau. The last published work from Dukas, the music is said to be some of his most mature and skilled Read more…
Aaron Copland: Hoe-Down Context Composed as part of the 1942 ballet Rodeo, this vivacious hoe-down is full of American spirit. Based on the theme from the first bar of William H. Stepp’s interpretation of the folk tune Bonaparte’s Retreat, the famous melody that Copland put together has remained one his Read more…
Aram Khachaturian: Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia Context Born in Tblisi, Georgia in 1903, Aram Khachaturian’s music is still performed regularly in concert halls today. Perhaps one of his most famous works is the Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia from his 1954 ballet: Spartacus. The ballet follows the trials and tribulations faced by Spartacus as Read more…
Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring Context The Rite of Spring is a ballet and concert work by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. The music was composed for the 1913 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes company. Vaslav Nijinsky created the original choreography, whilst stage designs and costumes were managed Read more…