Trepak from Nutcracker (The Nutcracker is probably the most popular of a number of highly colourful ballets by Tchaikowsky. It was written in 1892 and tells a fantastic story of Christmas make-believe. The plot provides ample inspiration for Tchaikowsy’s melodic facility and broad instrumental palette. One of the central scenes of the ballet has a series of ‘characteristic dances’ of which the Russian ‘Trepak’ is the most virtuoso. Performance note: Successful performance of this piece will require careful following of dynamics and articulations. The theme at bar 33, with the counter-melody in the horn should be played with considerable gusto with the trumpets keeping out of the way. Make sure the stringendo in 71 is controlled so as to reach the end without undue panic!)
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