The Nutcracker is an always enjoyable ballet for me. I've seen it performed as a live ballet, for film and on TV, each one unique in its own way. The music by Tchaikovsky has a highly enjoyable listening quality to it - I posted a recording of it on my channel.
A true Christmas Classic. Not for every day, but once every couple of years I always go back to it. It's so "over the top," but that's the point, I guess. The music serves the dance perfectly all the way through. There's so much joy and wonder in the whole thing. I hear similarities thematically in the Arabian/Indian Sections as Scheherazade. Fantastic video, Justin. Hope you don't associate The Nutcracker with being sick. (btw, Duke Ellington did a jazz re-write of the Nutcracker Suite. Fantastic!)
You need to go straightaway to Tchaik's Sixth Symphony. It was one of the works that excited me as a toddlesome and has one of the best jumpscare moments in all music.
This is what makes your channel great......what an amazing art form the ballet is. Music,choreography, athleticism.....amazing stuff. Im an out and out rock fan,but really appreciate the classics. Merry Christmas JP
Hi Justin. Merry Christmas to you & Natasha, and to everyone. Dave from London here, just back from a walk in Richmond Park. Thrilled that you're reacting to this ballet. About 30 years ago, I was lucky enough to go with my parents and uncle to a performance of it by The Royal Ballet at London's Covent Garden. Just heard the March, which was used in the 1962 hit single Nutrocker by B. Bumble & The Stingers (and more recently ELP)
The Arabian Dance is my favorite and I've never seen it done the same way in the various productions. Sometimes it's a solo dancer throughout. Sometimes the main dancer has a few, or several, attendants.
That audience looks like Russians to me (as does the auditorium they're in). Apparently, this performance was during the pandemic, so the audience might not actually be in the concert hall, but instead might have been watching on a large screen from another location. But any performance of The Nutcracker takes me right back to my childhood, when the Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland production was damn near required holiday viewing in most households in America. This music is beloved for a reason, and it's nice that the snobbery around Tchaikovsky's work has largely given way to appreciation. IMO he was a master at crafting iconic melodies and using brilliant orchestrations to bring them to life. Also, few other classical composers did as much to expand the textural palette of the orchestra. BTW, JP -- if you're willing to react to full-scale ballets you should now add Stravinsky's 'Rite of Spring' to your list. Fortunately it's relatively short, but total amaze-balls.
Oh, no, have they cut out The Arabian Dance? I hope not. But it's usually after The Spanish Dance and before The Waltz of the Flowers. Well, I got here late. Maybe I missed it.
There's no cut between the Spanish Dance and Chinese Dance. So yes. They deliberately left out the Arabian Dance for reason(s) we will never know for now. Probably not to "offend" them?
Justin! Turkey needs another hour according to the boss so ... free time wit choo. get better. Heard O Silver Moon by Dvorjak in the car this mornin... Blisteringly full blast it's highly recommended 6mins that's all!
The Nutcracker is an always enjoyable ballet for me. I've seen it performed as a live ballet, for film and on TV, each one unique in its own way. The music by Tchaikovsky has a highly enjoyable listening quality to it - I posted a recording of it on my channel.
A true Christmas Classic. Not for every day, but once every couple of years I always go back to it. It's so "over the top," but that's the point, I guess. The music serves the dance perfectly all the way through. There's so much joy and wonder in the whole thing. I hear similarities thematically in the Arabian/Indian Sections as Scheherazade.
Fantastic video, Justin. Hope you don't associate The Nutcracker with being sick.
(btw, Duke Ellington did a jazz re-write of the Nutcracker Suite. Fantastic!)
You need to go straightaway to Tchaik's Sixth Symphony. It was one of the works that excited me as a toddlesome and has one of the best jumpscare moments in all music.
Yes, it is an absolute masterpiece! One of my favourite pieces.
I didn’t think you would do this at such short notice. But you will love this imo. Add Corelli’s Christmas Concerto to it as well. It’s a classic!
Great choice for the holiday! Merry Christmas, Justin!
Told ya, it wouldn't be Christmas without the Nutcracker :)
Looking forward to it JP, you continue to expand my musical appreecation. Thank you. Look up to the stars, blow a kiss and say thank you.
Thank you Casper :) Have a wonderful holiday!
This is what makes your channel great......what an amazing art form the ballet is. Music,choreography, athleticism.....amazing stuff. Im an out and out rock fan,but really appreciate the classics.
Merry Christmas JP
Thanks so much Mark! Every form of art is worth at least a peek into :D
Hi Justin. Merry Christmas to you & Natasha, and to everyone. Dave from London here, just back from a walk in Richmond Park. Thrilled that you're reacting to this ballet. About 30 years ago, I was lucky enough to go with my parents and uncle to a performance of it by The Royal Ballet at London's Covent Garden. Just heard the March, which was used in the 1962 hit single Nutrocker by B. Bumble & The Stingers (and more recently ELP)
If you get the chance, watch the American Ballet Theater’s version with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland. It is sublime.
Merry Christmas 🎁
The Arabian Dance is my favorite and I've never seen it done the same way in the various productions. Sometimes it's a solo dancer throughout. Sometimes the main dancer has a few, or several, attendants.
That audience looks like Russians to me (as does the auditorium they're in). Apparently, this performance was during the pandemic, so the audience might not actually be in the concert hall, but instead might have been watching on a large screen from another location.
But any performance of The Nutcracker takes me right back to my childhood, when the Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland production was damn near required holiday viewing in most households in America. This music is beloved for a reason, and it's nice that the snobbery around Tchaikovsky's work has largely given way to appreciation. IMO he was a master at crafting iconic melodies and using brilliant orchestrations to bring them to life. Also, few other classical composers did as much to expand the textural palette of the orchestra. BTW, JP -- if you're willing to react to full-scale ballets you should now add Stravinsky's 'Rite of Spring' to your list. Fortunately it's relatively short, but total amaze-balls.
I wish you had made your voice levels louder. You get drowned out by the music a lot. Merry Christmas tho love the reactions
Merry Christmas! Apologizing for being sick is something an abused spouse would do! I hope we're not that bad an audience! 😅
Which company's production is this?
Oh, no, have they cut out The Arabian Dance? I hope not. But it's usually after The Spanish Dance and before The Waltz of the Flowers. Well, I got here late. Maybe I missed it.
There's no cut between the Spanish Dance and Chinese Dance. So yes. They deliberately left out the Arabian Dance for reason(s) we will never know for now. Probably not to "offend" them?
I don't know why they're clapping like that either.
It definitely isn't a ballet thing.
Ngl, toy maker's a creep.
Justin! Turkey needs another hour according to the boss so ... free time wit choo. get better. Heard O Silver Moon by Dvorjak in the car this mornin... Blisteringly full blast it's highly recommended 6mins that's all!