George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Snowflakes

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Snowflakes
New York City Ballet

[nobody__cares]

is no one going to talk about the orchestra? They literally held this whole production together. One mess up and the whole thing would’ve fallen apart. MASSIVE respect to them-

[AuroraBoarder]

Tchaikovsky was pure genius in the way he set up the instruments for this piece. It sounds exactly how falling snow looks!

[serenevil]

kudos to them for not tripping in the snow. i was in my city's production and the soloist who played queen of snowflakes fell HARD. it's dangerous out there. and this choreography is cardio heavy too.

[alaynahollist]

I was a snowflake when I was 13, and three days before opening night, I fell and got a pinched nerve in my lower back. I was too afraid to tell anyone that I was hurt, so I just continued with rehearsals and the shows. It was probably the most painful experience I’ve been through in my life so far.

[rachelclapshaw]

I want to be a snowflake, there is something magical about watching it, I want to be part of it.

[kalamaki]

This is the exact moment when everything is pure perfection. Music, orchestra, costumes, choreography. This is my favourite choreography of the Waltz of the Snowflakes. It is literally like real snowflakes dancing in the winter. I like even the Bolshoi less.
I've watched it for so many times, and it almost always makes me cry about its perfect beauty.
Thank you so very much for sharing.

[quanhoangclarinettist]

Is no one gonna talk about the ending of this movement? I rarely get goosebumps while listening to music, but the ending had me shivers. What an absolute miracle of a musical piece.

[hibasobh]

The Balanchine production (the music, the costumes, the dancing) it all makes me feel as if though I have been taken to a magical place

[lizziewalker]

Waltz of the Snowflakes is one of my absolute favorites in the Nutcracker. The urgency, the joy, the magical ethereal display always makes me feel transported to the forest. The twirling of the dancers, the flitting to and fro in a rush like the flurrying of the first snowfall. A cascade of snow swirling into a dizzying array of white, the storm awakens and when it is done with its dance what is left is the glistening fresh snow in the quiet solitude of the night. Beautifully done! Wonderful performance.

[nicolecrawford]

imagine someone getting a voice-crack during the "oooh"

[marisa]

I'm so happy to be able to perform as a snowflake this year!

[conniek]

So much respect for the artistry, especially for the orchestra/choir. As for the handful of dancers whose pointe shoes definitely died half-way through this movement, I see you. (They were crazy amazing for hanging in there.)

[hannahgrapes]

I don't know why this made me cry but it did, so beautiful, everything about the performance feels magical

[artemismargarette]

I love watching their tutu dresses flow in each & every movement. Their synchronization also is a beauty. Nice!

[kiaburt]

I keep forgetting that Clara and the Nutcracker are supposed to be young children!

[m.falcon]

Wow, these longer, flowy skirts look so much better in ballet than those stiff or short ones...so graceful and dreamy

[crystalperry]

The Nutcracker should be done all year around. It is soooo beautiful.

[lorenzpehlingjr.]

First of all I am an old man of 74 and this takes my breath away, the music is beyond belief and so very beautiful then such spectacular dancing. and finally beautiful women who tingle my sole what an incredible accomplishment. I had to watch it several times and it thrilled me every time My deepest thank for making this available to this old sole. I am from the land of snow, Minnesota USA.

[uylfggu]

It's very dynamic, perfectly! This version of the choreography is the most successful: very dynamic, swift, unusually expressive, and at the same time elegant, beautiful scenery, a mysterious New Year's fairy tale and the geniuses of Tchaikovsky and Balanchine!

[pinkvelvet]

This Nutcracker production is so awesome. The ballet dancers, costumes, stage & the orchestra. I wish I could watch it live.