Valley Symphony Orchestra Education Concert Booklet

Pyotr Ilyich
Tchaikovsky
(1840-1893)
THE NUTCRACKER SUITE, MARCH (1892)
geography
Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer.
He was born in the city of Votkinsk, which is
6,457 miles away from McAllen, Texas!
history
This ballet was adapted from a story by E.T.A. Hoffman
called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Ivan
Vsevolozhsky, the director of the Imperial Theatres,
commissioned Tchaikovsky to write the music for this
ballet. Here is a synopsis of The Nutcracker Ballet story.
While this music was intended to be performed as a ballet
with dancers, Tchaikovsky also took selected music from
the ballet and created a suite to be performed only by
orchestra.
Music
A march is a genre of music with a strong, steady beat
that is typically performed by a military band. The U.S.
Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performs music
from around the time of the American Revolution using
instruments and uniforms that would have been found in
that time. Nutcracker dolls were frequently decorated as
soldiers, which is why they are accompanied by militaristic
music.
instruments
Trumpets have a history within many countries’ military, which is why they are
featured in this movement. They are playing staccato, which is when the notes are
short and separated.
vocabulary
What is a Nutcracker?
Besides cracking the shells
of nuts, a nutcracker doll
symbolizes good luck. Within
German folklore they are said to
be protectors of the house. Maybe
that is why the Nutcracker is the one
who saves Marie from the Mouse King.
dance
Ballet is a concert dance that has
a rich history in Russian culture.
Ballerinas typically dance ‘en pointe,’
which is on the tip of their toes. You
may not be able to dance on point, but
you can march along to the beat of the
music!
Would you like to learn more about Tchaikovsky?
Click here for a Classics for Kids composer profile which includes other examples of his music.