Author Archives: Brad

Christmas Carols on the Ballet Stage

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Brad

  The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (op. 71). The libretto is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. It was given its première … Continue reading →

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Beethoven’s Christmas Contribution

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Brad

  Ode To Joy is the final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth and last Symphony. The German composer was increasingly aware of his declining health and spent seven years working on this symphony, starting the work in 1818 and finishing early in … Continue reading →

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Baroque Christmas Music

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Brad

While Handel’s Messiah rightly holds its place as this country’s classical musical soundtrack for the holiday season (quibble if you will about its Easter message;  there’s nothing wrong with talking about Easter at Christmas – just ask Bach!), it’s J.S. … Continue reading →

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