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Nutcracker Suite facts for kids

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Porträt des Komponisten Pjotr I. Tschaikowski (1840-1893)
Tchaikovsky in 1893

The Nutcracker Suite is a famous collection of music by the Russian composer Tchaikovsky. It includes 8 popular songs taken from his full The Nutcracker ballet. Tchaikovsky created this shorter version for a concert in St. Petersburg, Russia, on March 19, 1892.

People loved every song in the suite right away! It was a huge hit and became very popular for concerts. The full Nutcracker ballet was first shown later that year, on December 17, 1892. However, the ballet itself wasn't very popular at first. It only became famous much later, especially after George Balanchine put on a new show in New York City. The Nutcracker Suite is different from the complete ballet, even though they share music. You might have heard some of its music in Disney's movie Fantasia.

About the Music

A "suite" in music is like a collection of different pieces that are meant to be played together. Tchaikovsky chose the most exciting and well-known parts from his Nutcracker ballet to create this suite. This made it easy for people to enjoy the music without watching the whole ballet.

The Suite's Songs

Tchaikovsky carefully picked these 8 songs for The Nutcracker Suite. They are played in this order:

  • I. Miniature Overture

* This is a short, light, and playful start to the suite.

  • II. Danses caractéristiques (Character Dances)

* These are dances that represent different characters or places. ** a. Marche (March) *** This is a lively and grand march. ** b. Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy *** This famous piece features a special instrument called a celesta, which sounds like tiny bells. ** c. Russian Dance (Trepak) *** A fast and energetic dance, often with lots of jumping. ** d. Arabian Dance *** This music sounds mysterious and exotic, like something from a faraway land. ** e. Chinese Dance *** A quick and playful tune that sounds like it could be from China. ** f. Reed-Flutes *** This piece sounds like it's played on small, sweet-sounding flutes.

  • III. Waltz of the Flowers

* This is a beautiful and grand waltz, one of the most famous parts of the suite.

Images for kids

  • Nutcracker -1890

    (Left to right) Lydia Rubtsova as Marianna, Stanislava Belinskaya as Clara and Vassily Stukolkin as Fritz, in the original production of The Nutcracker (Imperial Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg, 1892)

  • Nutcracker1892

    Varvara Nikitina as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Pavel Gerdt as the Cavalier, in a later performance in the original run of The Nutcracker, 1892

  • Vzevolozhsky's costume sketch for Nutcracker

    Ivan Vsevolozhsky's original costume sketch for The Nutcracker (1892)

  • Vsevolozhskys design for Nutcracker

    Ivan Vsevolozhsky's original costume designs for Mother Gigogne and her Polichinelle children, 1892

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: El cascanueces para niños

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