Cracking Open Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
The Nutcracker, Op. 71, ballet in two acts (1892)
I'm Tchaikovsky, and I'm pleased to introduce you to the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. You'll hear how the celesta, with its soft, bell-like tones, makes a few quiet notes sound like sugar sparkling in the candlelight, and that single sound is worth your time. Once you've listened, give the Trainer a go , because on this site my fellow composers and I teach you to recognize our pieces whenever they play.
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Put Your Ears on Tiptoe
When you press play, listen first for the celesta, because it gives this dance its sound. Its little hammers strike metal plates, so every note comes out soft and bell-like, as if someone were tapping on frosted glass. Underneath it you'll hear a quiet, low accompaniment that steps along gently and never tries to steal the spotlight. Don't try to catch everything on the first listen; just follow the sparkle and let the rest slip in on its own.What's in a Name
In the story, Clara and the Nutcracker-Prince travel to the Land of Sweets, which the libretto calls Confituremburg. There they meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince Coqueluche, and this dance belongs to the Grand Pas de Deux the two of them share in Act II. A fairy who rules over sweets needed music that sounded delicate and sugary, so I went looking for a sound the theater audience had never heard before. In June 1891 I asked my publisher Jurgenson to order a celesta from Paris, and I described its sound as divinely unusual; the story goes that I kept it secret from other composers, but my letter only proves the order.Choosing a Shape Was an Adventure
People like to ask what shape this dance takes, and I'd rather you hear it than memorize a label. Think of it as a little journey made of a few sections, each with a mood of its own. In short, it begins with a hush, then comes the famous tune, then the music grows bolder, and finally it settles down again. I'll take you through each section one by one in the next paragraphs, so you'll know exactly where you are.Section 1: Tiptoeing Into the Room
The dance begins quietly, with soft, low steps that seem to check whether anyone is still asleep. The mood is hushed and a little mysterious, as if a door has just opened onto the Land of Sweets. Nothing hurries here, and the music takes its time before it shows you what it has in store. Listen for that sense of waiting, because the next section pays it off.Section 2: The Tune Arrives
Now the celesta steps forward with the melody, and this is the moment most people remember. The notes fall one at a time, light and clear, and the whole mood turns from mysterious to sparkling. At the premiere on 18 December 1892, Antonietta Dell'Era danced this music, and a platform called a reika let her glide across the stage on her toes. Try to hear that gliding quality in the music itself, because I wrote it to feel weightless.Section 3: Things Get a Little Bolder
After the delicate tune, the music opens up and grows fuller and warmer. The phrases stretch out and sweep along, and the fairy seems to gain confidence with every step. It's the part where the dance stops whispering and speaks in a more open, generous voice. Notice how the sparkle doesn't disappear but simply has more company around it.Section 4: The Sugar Settles
Then the celesta tune comes back, and it feels like greeting an old friend in a new coat. The mood grows calm again, with the energy of the middle section fading into something gentle and content. The ending is light and tidy, like a curtain being drawn without a sound. You'll be smiling by then, and that was exactly my plan.Press Play and Wander In
Now it's your turn to experience the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy for yourself. Press play, sit back, and let the music carry you through the Land of Sweets. As you listen, remember the celesta, the hushed opening, and the way the mood warms up and then settles down. I hope the journey thrills you as much as it thrilled me when I wrote it.---
So, did you enjoy learning about the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy? I hope the little celesta now sounds a bit more familiar to you, and that you'll catch its sparkle the next time it turns up. It still amuses me that the ballet had a rather cool welcome when it first appeared in December 1892. The music, on the other hand, did far better, and the suite I drew from it had been a great success at its premiere in March of that year. I find that comforting, because it reminds me that a piece doesn't always win people over on the first evening. Sometimes it needs a little time, and a few good listeners, to find its place. There is a lot more to explore in the Nutcracker. You could follow Clara through the snow and into the Land of Sweets, or find out how the other dances of Act II fit together. You might also enjoy hearing how the Waltz of the Snowflakes, which was the most successful number at the premiere, creates its own winter world. If you'd like to keep going, please click on the links below and wander further into the Nutcracker. I'll be glad to have you along.