Introduction
Structure
The Nutcracker Suite is an adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s larger ballet based on a libretto by E.T.A. Hoffman. It features a number of dance pieces that have wonderful melodies and have been etched into all our memories by Disney’s Fantasia. The work consists of an overture with several dance movements following it:
- Miniature Overture
- Danses caractéristiques
a. Marche
b. Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy [ending altered from ballet-version]
c. Russian Dance (Trepak)
d. Arabian Dance
e. Chinese Dance
f. Reed-Flutes - Waltz of the Flowers
Music at Home will cover all Nutcracker Suite dances over the course of Music Appreciation Cycle I.
Biography
Here is a short biography of Tchaikovsky you may choose to watch with your students:
After watching you can do the following:
- Find on the map where Tchaikovsky was born
- Ask the children, “Tell me something about Tchaikovsky that you thought was interesting.”
Listen
MusOpen
The Nutcracker Suite – Act 1, No. 4. The Russian Dance – free to download or listen
YouTube
Russian Dance by Tchaikovsky without video:
Russian Dance performed on stage by the San Francisco Ballet. If your students enjoy watching these ballet performances many more from different ballet companies can be found on YouTube.
Duke Ellington’s “The Volga Vouty” (quotation of Russian Dance) performed live:
Discussion
Mood
Instructor’s Note: Now that we have discussed mood (major/minor) and emotional content in music, we can see how musical emotion can be interpreted through dance. Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite is a collection of dance pieces that have been interpreted in many different ways by ballet companies. Included below are links to both audio and ballet videos of the Russian Dance.
For the discussion on mood, it may help to listen to an audio version first before viewing the ballet videos. On subsequent instruction days, show the different video links provided and ask the same questions below. (You can also ask these questions if you choose to watch Disney’s Fantasia version of Russian Dance.)
After listening to the Russian Dance, ask several questions to identify the emotions of the music:
- If this was a story, what would be happening? If this was a movie, what would it be about?
- How does this piece make you feel?
- (After viewing the ballet video) What do you think was the story about the dancers?
Review
Sing the Melody
Assess the Mood
Optional Comparison
Duke Ellington was a jazz composer, pianist and bandleader in the early part of the 20th century. He reinterpreted Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite as a jazz composer.
Listen to the Duke Ellington version of The Russian Dance entitled “The Volga Vouty.” (link below) Ask:
- How is Ellington’s arrangement similar or different than Tchaikovsky’s original composition? (They can consider the rhythm, speed, mood, instrumentation, etc.).
- Which version do you enjoy more?
Narration
- Can you tell me something about Tchaikovsky from the video we watched together?
- Tell me about the music we listened to together. (Fast/slow, happy/sad, etc.)
- Can you sing me the melody? (You can specify which version or let them choose.)
- Does this piece remind you of any other music we have listened to? (Encourage them to consider similarities and differences in instrumentation, tempo, mood.)
- Optional Comparison: What were some of the differences between the original Tchaikovsky Suite and the Duke Ellington version?
Something Fun
The Russian Dance was featured as one of the songs in Disney’s film Fantasia. Currently available to watch on Netflix. If you watch this with your students you may choose to ask them:
- Which version did you enjoy more, the ballet company performance or Fantasia?
- Why? How were they similar or different?
Music at home 