The complete Tchaikovsky ballets (7)

An ardent defender of the form even in the face of disdainful contemporaries, Tchaikovsky created ballets that have stood the test of time and inspired generations of choreographers and dancers. In the 19th century, when ballet music by Minkus or Delibes may have been seen as rigidly constrained by the need to synchronize with dancers' steps, Tchaikovsky broke with tradition from his very first ballet, Swan Lake, in 1875 — and all three of his masterpieces for the dance stage take on a veritably symphonic scope, which likely helps to explain why they have remained so beloved. From the charged atmosphere of Swan Lake to the festive wonderland of The Nutcracker and swooningly romantic Sleeping Beauty, (re)discover — in a variety of different choreographies, ranging from traditional to avant-garde — these timeless works by an undisputed master of a mighty genre!