Likes: With Christmas just around the corner, thought it be fun to see what everyone's favorite number is.
I know I left some out because of the limitations of polls, but I think I have the most popular.
(no youtubes please, but pics ok)
Overture
March
Grandfather Waltz
Scene (A Pine Forest in Winter)
Journey Through The Snow / Waltz of the Snowflakes
Chocolate (Spanish Dance)
Coffee (Arabian Dance)
Tea (Chinese Dance)
Candy Canes (Russian Dance)
Dance of the Mirlitons
Mother Ginger and the Polichinelles
Waltz of the Flowers
Pas de Deux
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Final Waltz and Apotheosis
Nutcracker Favorite
With Christmas just around the corner, thought it be fun to see what everyone's favorite number is.
I know I left some out because of the limitations of polls, but I think I have the most popular.
(no youtubes please, but pics ok)
There's something about the Pas de Deux! If your going Tchaik you may as well as go full cheesy
I enjoyed this irreverent take on Nutcracker recently - a bit rude so be careful if that's not your thing:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alf-la...b_6331464.html
Pyotr liked this post
Full cheesy?Originally Posted by dgee
hpowders liked this post
Pine Forest in Winter, both the music and the dance; and I love having the excuse to post this again(thank you):
Last edited by trazom; Dec-20-2014 at 07:16.
While not a Tchaikovsky fan, I voted for Pine Forest in Winter, because it is the most 'symphonic,' theme or motif driven vs. the more directly folk-like melodies found in the rest of the score. I.e. it is the more abstract, and I also find it more in that vein of imparting something of the near triple-X rated quality of 'adult sensuality' which Tchaikovsky was also amazingly good at.
But hey, it is Christmas, and for many, believers in the faith or not, The Nutcracker was a very early musical theater experience, if not their prime introduction to classical orchestral music....
Here is the whole thing, beautifully done, great sets and dancing and music making and all:
St. Petersburg / Marinsky / Gergiev
Really, with the score being pretty much one hit tune after another, I would think many a choice of favorite would have as much to do with 'the whole thing,' i.e. libretto, scene, appearance, etc. -- likely impressed upon the individual in early childhood -- as much as the music itself.
Last edited by PetrB; Dec-20-2014 at 08:47.
My favorite part is the ending, because I can finally go home.
Facts don't care about your feelings.
Thank you for posting this. I love Alina Cojocaru...this is so beautiful!
trazom liked this post
The Final Waltz is my favorite, although I can’t think of one I don’t like. Normally by the end of a ballet, I’m ready to go but the finale of the Nutcracker keeps me completely entertained and wanting more! Coffee is my second but it depends on the performer. Maria Kowroski(NYC Ballet) danced this part on a PBS live broadcast a few years ago— visions of Maria dancing in my head.
I know it’s old and overplayed and cheesy but The Nutcracker is pure magic, in my mind, and just the thing to get one in the Christmas spirit.
How about the Waltz Of The Flowers? I know it's overly-familiar in a way, but try the transcription of it for two pianos. Martha Argerich and Mirabela Dina play brilliantly. Makes a change to the orchestral version usually heard.
Last edited by LouisMasterMusic; Dec-22-2014 at 14:41.
Does this mean you don't like it at all?
Can't decide between the Russian dance and the Arabian. The dances/songs have such pretty names but does anyone know why they are named like that? I understand Candy Canes but why Tea and Coffee?
Thanks
I love them all, but I voted for "Waltz of the Snowflakes". So pretty, so brilliant, and yet SO UNDERRATED. I DON'T GET IT.
(Please excuse my mini-rant.) Second place is a tie between Final Waltz, Mother Ginger, and Decorating the Tree (not on this poll).
But as I said, I love them all.
I do like the Waltz of the Flowers, with its lovely sweeping main melody.
≥12
My vote goes to the Dance of the sugar plum fairty
I've got a soft spot for the Dance of the Reed Pipes as it was used for an advertisement for one of my favourite chocolate bars when I was young. However, I probably like the exotica of the Spanish/Arabian/Chinese and Russian dances the most.
'...a violator of his word, a libertine over head and ears in debt and disgrace, a despiser of domestic ties, the companion of gamblers and demireps, a man who has just closed half a century without a single claim on the gratitude of his country or the respect of posterity...' - Leigh Hunt on the Prince Regent (later George IV).
ὃν οἱ θεοὶ φιλοῦσιν ἀποθνῄσκει νέος [Those whom the gods love die young] - Menander
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
