My Favorite Christmas Music/Dance/Movies
When I was teaching, my Christmas field trip was taking the students to watch the stage performance of The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. After I left the classroom, instead of driving to see the performance, I kept the tradition by watching The Nutcracker movie at home.
All the ballet pieces in The Nutcracker are beautiful. I chose two versions of the following dance.
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker (The Royal Ballet 2017) 2:39 minutes
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker (Bolshoi Ballet 2010) 3:31 minutes, the dance finished at 2:47 minutes
Do you like it? Which version do you prefer?
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The Showers of Blessings 
To this ballerina, I know you have been through a lot and we are here to give you respect. You deserve it. Thank you for this performance. You are living proof that hard work pays off.
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The streamline of their bodies, movements, and postures are so clean and definite. They must have strict training. They synchronized in group dance better than some other ballet groups. I went to concerts and shows with my daughter also
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Hello
The streamline of their bodies, movements, and postures are so clean and definite. They must have strict training. They synchronized in group dance better than some other ballet groups. I went to concerts and shows with my daughter also. One time during the intermission,
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The streamline of their bodies, movements, and postures are so clean and definite. They must have strict training. They synchronized in group dance better than some other ballet groups. I went to concerts and shows with my daughter also. One time during the intermission, an actor and an actress came by and we took a picture of them with,h my daughter. I hope the pandemic will be over soon so that we can do fun things again.
retainingwallsatl
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Both of these are beautiful in their own way and these ballerinas are both very talented, I like the second one better though. I think I preferred it for the costuming the most, but also she was on her toes more and I love that.
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I love the costume of the second one over some modern versions also, Carla. I watched a 2010 production from a Russian ballet group. The costumes for the entire ballet were modern but kept the traditional for this dance. It was well done.
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Wonderful to see both these, though I actually preferred the second, Miriam. I have seen performances of The Nutcracker twice, so this was a lovely reminder. I agree it’s more traditional and the set is beautiful, but there is something about the first one I can’t put my finger on it. I much preferred the second version, not sure why. I liked the dancer’s white dress and the white tree behind her. Nutcracker is my favorite ballet.
ornamentsbyelves
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I always prefer Russian ballet dancers. The streamline of their bodies, movements and postures are so clean and definite. They must have strict training. They synchronized in group dance better some other ballet groups.
I watched a new production of a 2010 full performance on YouTube. Someone uploaded it early this month.
It was a treat. Happy new year! 🎉
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I love dancing. I like the nutcracker
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Great, my sister is a ballroom dance instructor. I like to watch.
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To this ballerina, I know you have been through a lot and we are here to give you respect. You deserve it. Thank you for this performance. You are living proof that hard work pays off.
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I thought the first one looked kind of like Vanna White. I liked the second a little better because the dancer seemed sassy to me.
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Yes, I like Russian ballet dancers, the second one, better.
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I have never seen that ballet live, though it feels like the music has been ingrained in me forever. I also prefer the Bolshoi; the ballerina is magical, reminding me of the tiny plastic ballerina that turns when you open a music box.
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Hi Miriam, this is also a favourite ballet of mine. I’ve also seen it on ice. Such a wonderful and Christmassy idea.
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Thank you for sharing these, Miriam! I really enjoyed them. I preferred the second performance; it was more fairy-like. The first one seemed a little staid. As soon as I saw the title of your post, I could hear my little brother’s voice singing “The toys have come to life!”
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Exactly, Liz. I feel the same about the second version. It was like a dream just like the story. I like the Russian ballet dancers. They’re the most graceful among the graceful dancers. I think they’re trained well from the youngest ages possible and I like their postures and movements.
So glad it reminded you of your brother’s singing. 😍
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😀
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That’s a really hard question, Miriam. They’re both beautiful. I remember going to see this ballet as a kid and then taking my daughter when she was a kid. What a Christmas classic. Thanks so much for the beautiful memories. ❤
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I agree, Diana that each has its own beauty.
The Nutcracker is the best show for girls. I think it’s magical. 💖
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What would Christmas be without the Nutcracker. We took our eldest daughter to see it several times in Chicago and I’m looking forward to one day taking my granddaughter to see it.
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I know, Sue. The Nutcracker is so magical for Christmas. It’s the best show for girls. I hope to see it again, and to take my granddaughters one day.
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Which do I prefer? Both–of course.
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They both are surely beautiful, Jacqui!
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Both are beautiful! 🎄 xo
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They surely are beautiful, Bette! 🙂
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Bolshoi Ballet 🙂
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I think the Bolshoi Ballet is the best, Dan! 🙂
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What a lovely post Miriam. The second for me!
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I seem to prefer Russian ballet. So the second version for me also, Peter!
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The audiences are less restrained too and often burst into spontaneous applause mid dance. It may be offputting for the dancers though!
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Yes, audience can do that for ballet. We don’t do that to opera and orchestra. We don’t even cough !😊
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What a treat on a cold, dark December Monday! Thanks , Miriam. I much preferred the second version, not sure why. I liked the dancer’s white dress and the white tree behind her. Nutcracker is my favourite ballet. I love the Sugar Plum Fairy but the Dance of the Snowflakes is my absolute favourite part.
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I like the second version also, Elizabeth. Humm, let me find the Dance of the Snowflakes. Thank you!
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I love both!
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Yes, they both are beautiful, Jill. I’ll watch the entire ballet soon!
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Both are beautiful. My granddaughter has gotten to perform in The Nutcracker Ballet here locally for two years and it’s just so awesome to watch her be a part of it!
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I know the feeling, Jan! It’s wonderful to see your kids or grandkids on the stage! Ballet is so graceful. My daughter was on The Sound of Music and Wizard of Oz when she was a young kid.
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What a lucky group of students to be taken to the ballet to see The Nutcracker – an experience I imagine will live them for the rest of their lives. I’ve only seen it once in London and it was mesmerising! Thank you so much for this lovely post, Miriam! xx
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I surely hope they remember the experience. I wonder if you saw the Royal Opera House performance. They are very good. Thank you for watching and comment, Annika! ❤
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I just asked my husband and we saw it at Sadlers Wells … I remember a long dark walk along busy roads to the train station as it was impossible to catch a taxi!
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It sounds lovely, Annika. Not too many people appreciate ballet or classical music. I hope the pandemic will be over soon so that we can do fun things again.
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Both beautiful, Miriam. I love that music box music.
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They both are beautiful, Norah!
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Both beautiful Miriam though the scenery in the second version is beautiful, the dancing in the first is just spectacular. HAPPY CHRISTMAS Miriam 💜
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They both are beautiful, Willow. I like the costume of the second version.
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Yes I agree it’s more traditional and the set is beautiful, but there is something about the first one I can’t put my finger on it 💜💜
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Yeah, I’m not sure either, Willow. I prefer the traditional winter scene and white costume instead of modern and color costume.
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It’s what we are used to I suppose 💜
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Wonderful to see both these, though I actually preferred the second,Miriam. I have seen performances of The Nutcracker twice, so this was a lovely reminder.. Thank you.
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I love the second version also, Judith. The Russian ballet seems to be the best. Seeing the performance on stage is a wonderful experience!
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I love the Nutcracker and seeing it live is has been a wonderful experience. I love both versions but lean toward the second one.
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Yes, Denise. The Nutcracker has music, ballet, Christmas, and a kind of romance. The best thing for my Christmas.
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My daughter and I went to Covent Gardens to see the ballet, Miriam. So lovely!
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That’s a wonderful experience to share with your daughter, Judith!
I went to concerts and shows with my daughter also. One time during the intermission, an actor and an actress came by and we took a picture of them wit my daughter. My daughter took ballet when she was young.
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What Christmas loveliness, Miriam. Thank you. Toni x
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It’s magical and dreamy, Toni. Yes, it was a beautiful dream.
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