Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and the Secret of the Silver Bells

Tchaikovsky secretly shipped a mysterious wooden crate from Paris, refusing to let anyone see what was inside. The hidden treasure was a magical new instrument that would create the enchanting sound of the Sugar Plum Fairy in his beloved Nutcracker ballet.

Duration: 28 minutes | Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

What You'll Learn

Learn what a ballet is — a story told entirely through dance and music, where every leap, twirl, and gesture means something, and the orchestra becomes the voice of every character
Discover the magic of the celesta — the secret instrument Tchaikovsky used for the Sugar Plum Fairy, which sounds like tiny bells made of ice and starlight
Understand that failure isn't the end — Swan Lake flopped terribly at its premiere, but today it's performed more than almost any other ballet in history
Experience how music can paint emotions without any words — how Tchaikovsky made you FEEL the cold of falling snow, the terror of battle, and the warmth of a Christmas miracle
Learn that being sensitive and emotional can be a gift — Tchaikovsky felt everything deeply, and that's exactly what made his music touch millions of hearts

Music Featured

Composer	Title	Source
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	Serenade for Strings, Op. 48 – II. Valse	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Overture	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	Serenade for Strings, Op. 48 – III. Elegie	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Lighting of the Christmas Tree	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Magic Spell Begins	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Waltz of the Snowflakes	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Spanish Dance (Chocolate)	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Arabian Dance (Coffee)	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Russian Dance (Trepak)	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Waltz of the Flowers	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Pas de Deux	archive.org
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky	The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Waltz Finale and Apotheosis	archive.org