Symphony Listening Program - Tchaikovsky
- What
- Symphony Listening Program - Tchaikovsky
- When
- 12/8/2025
Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Composition: The Nutcracker Suite
Suggested Supplement: Read the story of the Nutcracker with your class, or watch it on film.
Day 1. March of the Toy Solders
This week’s featured composer is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky is widely considered the most popular Russian composer in history. His most famous work includes 'The Sleeping Beauty' and 'The Nutcracker’. He composed The Nutcracker Suite as a Ballet score for the Russian Ballet choreographer Marius Petipa in 1891. Petipa was creating a ballet based on the fantasy story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. This ballet has become a much-loved holiday tradition performed by ballet companies and schools around the world.
In recent history, Nutcracker music has been used in movies, commercials, and more. Even if you have never seen the Nutcracker Ballet. Do you recognize some of the music?
https://youtu.be/MMGKtXElgvA?si=TcUnuh-Dmq-Q8FBY
Day 2. Russian Dance
This week’s featured composer is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker ballet, and the music Tchaikovsky wrote, is a much-loved holiday tradition in many parts of the world.
Here in the US, audiences love the traditional ballet choreography and story, so most companies don’t make many changes to this classic. However, some countries and cultures take more creative license, finding ways to connect the story with their own traditions.
• In China, you may attend versions paying homage to the Chinese New Year, with the Crane Goddess usurping the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy and dragons taking over for the mice.
• South Africans appreciate the setting switch from the westernized living room and winter wonderland to the Kalahari Desert, where local dance and circus arts are performed.
How would you personalize the story of the Nutcracker?
https://youtu.be/z2ISRMSIyX8?si=afgiy-kIu5Uqcz_M
Optional video on the South African Ballet (best for intermediate grades)
https://youtu.be/VueQYtW0gs4?si=7p7PpSr13U9zRLO3
Day 3. Waltz of the Snowflakes
This week’s featured composer is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The story of The Nutcracker begins at a family Christmas party where guests dance and exchange gifts. For many people, listening to The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition. Does the music make you think of any holiday traditions you or your family have?
https://youtu.be/fLKhWl3tEkk?si=NNOscrYBtzK7HLbf
Day 4. Battle with Rat King
This week’s featured composer is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky wrote the Nutcracker Suite to illustrate the story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. In order to do that, he made musical choices that reflect the actions taking place in the story and on stage at the ballet. https://youtu.be/g8irIf6WCOA?si=6l__g6WX9qeV1n_W
Day 5. Waltz of the Flowers
This week’s featured composer is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. While The Nutcracker is a magical tale, it is also a story of growth and imagination. The main character Clara shows great bravery in helping to defeat the Rat King. The loss of her nutcracker toy leads to grand adventures if only in her dreams. https://youtu.be/LKcZL8q1eBw?si=lBKppBq6HAXSTFM7