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Donald Macleod is joined by Sir Matthew Bourne and Dame Monica Mason to discuss Tchaikovsky’s final ballet.

Tchaikovsky is responsible for some of the world’s best loved and best known ballets. His music for Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker has become so popular and ubiquitous that we’re as likely to hear it in the concert hall, or accompanying a TV ad, as in the theatre. But this week, Donald Macleod is on a mission to take Tchaikovsky back to his dancing roots, in the company of two of British ballet’s brightest stars. Dame Monica Mason joined the Royal Ballet as the age of sixteen, becoming the youngest dancer in the company at that time. She went on to dance many principal roles, eventually becoming Director of the Royal Ballet in 2002, before her retirement in 2012. Sir Matthew Bourne has been hailed as the most popular and successful British choreographer and dancer, with a string of awards for his many productions, not least his ground-breaking production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Both guests bring their expertise to the series, sharing with Donald Macleod their views on Tchaikovsky, and their experience of performing and choreographing his works.

Tchaikovsky’s final ballet has become a seasonal favourite; The Nutcracker is regularly performed, all around the world, at Christmastime. It was composed in the early 1890’s, not long after Tchaikovsky had returned from his highly successful tour to the United States of America where he had been impressed by Carnegie Hall. Once back in Russia, the commission came for his third ballet. Tchaikovsky was initially hesitant about the subject being proposed and, although he eventually agreed to proceed, reviews for The Nutcracker were not positive. It was nearly thirty years before the work was performed again in Russia.

Also in the programme, Monica Mason and Matthew Bourne discuss the challenges of dancing and choreographing The Nutcracker, and the process of adapting this ballet to meet modern sensibilities. Also discussed is advice for budding dancers who might be considering stepping out into the world of ballet.

The Nutcracker, Op 71 (Overture)
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Mark Ermler, conductor

Iolanta Op 69 (Act 1 Scene 5: My only beloved Mathilde I claim)
Mariusz Kwiecien (King René), baritone
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Lukasz Borowicz, conductor

Souvenir de Florence, Op 70 (Allegro vivace)
The Endellion Quartet
Tim Boulton, viola
Robert Cohen, cello

The Nutcracker, Op 71 (Act 1 No 6: Departure of the guests)
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Mark Ermler, conductor

The Nutcracker, Op 71 (Act 1 No 9: Waltz of the Snowflakes)
Halesworth Middle School Choir
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Mark Ermler, conductor

The Nutcracker, Op 71 (Act 2 excerpt)
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Mark Ermler, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock