What is the Nutcracker pas de deux?
Q: What is the Nutcracker pas de deux?
A: The Nutcracker pas de deux is a dance for the Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince Coqueluche in the ballet The Nutcracker.
Q: When was the ballet first presented?
A: The ballet was first presented on 18 December 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Q: Who wrote the music for this dance?
A: The music was written by Tchaikovsky and the dance was designed by Lev Ivanov.
Q: How many sections does this pas have?
A: The pas de deux is structured in four sections (or movements).
Q: What device did Marius Petipa use on stage to make it seem like the Sugar Plum Fairy was lighter than air?
A: Marius Petipa used a device called a reika which was a small platform or wagon set in a track operated under the stage. In The Nutcracker, the Sugar Plum Fairy stepped upon a scarf that Prince Coqueluche had placed on the reika and then he pulled it so that as it moved from one side of the stage to another, it seemed like she was lighter than air.
Q: What musical theme does Tchaikovsky use for Andante maestoso movement?
A: Tchaikovsky uses descending scales for cellos with contrasting section written for oboe and bass clarinet and ending with great climax for trombones as musical theme of Andante maestoso movement. This theme is similar to his death themes in Fifth and Sixth symphonies.
