We all have our favorite Holiday entertainment. For some, it could be the Christmas Carols they’ve sung since childhood. For me, it is The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) was one of the most emotionally expressive composers of the Romantic era. He poured his inner life directly into his music in a way that was unusual for Russian composers of his time. Though he achieved international fame, he often wrestled with feelings of isolation and self-doubt. His intensity helped shape the unforgettable melodies.

What makes The Nutcracker especially striking is that Tchaikovsky wrote it during a period of personal grief after losing his beloved sister. Many believe this loss gave the ballet’s most tender passages a touching, wistful glow beneath all the sparkle and magic. His ability to blend wonder with genuine feeling is part of why his music still resonates so deeply today.

The Nutcracker we know today has a surprising history. The tale itself began as an early-19th-century German story by E.T.A. Hoffmann — a much darker, dreamlike fantasy about childhood, imagination, and transformation. The French writer Alexandre Dumas later softened the story, and it was this gentler version that inspired Tchaikovsky. Ironically, the ballet wasn’t a hit when it premiered. Over time it became a Christmas tradition not because it was designed as one, but due to its blend of wonder, magic, and nostalgia that captured the holiday spirit better than anyone expected.

My personal favorite in the suite, the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”, is famous for its shimmering, bell-like sound created by a brand-new instrument at the time, the celesta. Tchaikovsky discovered it in Paris and fell in love with its ethereal tone. He asked his publisher to keep it secret until the ballet premiered so no other composer could use it first.

Set to delicate, floating harmonies and intricate choreography, the piece feels like a little glimpse into a dream: elegant, precise, and otherworldly. It’s the sound of pure Christmas magic.

Please enjoy the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” as performed by Lauren Cuthbertson of the Royal Ballet. Lauren Cuthbertson is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading ballerinas, combining technical precision, dramatic intensity, and musical sensitivity. Off-stage, she became a Vice President of British Ballet Organization in 2024 that supports and advocates for future dancers and ballet education.