For many music lovers, this beloved classic of the ballet stage has become a holiday staple and one of the sure signs that Christmas is approaching. Given its iconic status in this regard, it is interesting to note that it was not until 1940 that the work first appeared in this country, premiered by the Ballet Russe, the company founded by the legendary Serge Diaghilev. We are so familiar with it and it is such a favorite, that it may surprise that the ballet was not initially received with universal enthusiasm. Even its composer was not entirely pleased with it as he felt the commission had been somewhat forced on him. Reception of his previous ballets, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty had not been enthusiastic and when he was approached by choreographer Marius Petipa, Tchaikovsky was rather reluctant to attempt another ballet. Petipa, himself, was in frail health and had to delegate much of the choreographic work to his assistant Lev Ivanov.
In spite of these difficulties and his reservations, Tchaikovsky persisted, and the music was first heard as a suite of eight sections of the ballet and presented on March 1, 1892, by the Russian Musical Society in St. Petersburg. The music was well received and sections had to be repeated as encores. Oddly enough, the full ballet’s reception at its premiere in the Mariinsky Theater was less flattering. Many said the music was too symphonic and not conceived for dancing. Yet it had eighteen performances in 1892, more than Sleeping Beauty. Tchaikovsky died in 1893 and was never to know of the tremendous popularity of his last ballet.
In his score, the composer incorporated a number of children’s instruments, including a rattle, cuckoo, toy trumpet, and toy drum. While in Paris, he heard a new instrument, the celeste, a recent invention of Victor Mustel, and decided to use it in the ballet, hoping to beat his rivals Glazunov and Rimsky-Korsakov for its initial use in Russian music. Indeed, the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is the best known use of this instrument in all of orchestral music. Tchaikovsky also drew some of his melodies from existing music. The Großvater Tanz was traditionally used to encourage people to leave a party or dance. The Arabian Dance is based on a Georgian lullaby and Mother Ginger is a reworking of the French folksong “Girofle, Girofla.”
The story line is based on a book, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, by the German writer E.T.A. Hoffman von Fallersleben. Substantial revisions were contributed by no less than the great French novelist Alexandre Dumas. The final version, as used in the ballet, is as follows.
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 gifts when Drosselmeyer presents his to Clara and Fritz. Although his 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 and looks on as Drosselmeyer quickly repairs the Nutcracker with a handkerchief 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, led 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, 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.
* 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.