Setting the Scene: How to Choose the Best Music for Your Ballet Performance
The curtain is set to rise. The dancers are warmed up, their pointe shoes ribbons tied with precision. The audience holds a collective breath. But before a single plié or jeté is seen, another art form takes the stage first: the music. It is the invisible current that carries the narrative, the emotional bedrock upon which every movement is built. Choosing the right score isn't just a step in the process; it is the process of setting the very soul of your performance.
For choreographers and directors, selecting music can feel like a monumental task. Do you go with the timeless comfort of Tchaikovsky, or venture into the uncharted territory of an electronic composer? The "best" music is not a one-size-fits-all answer; it's the piece that creates a perfect, symbiotic relationship with your movement and story.
1. Understand the Narrative & Emotional Arc
Every ballet tells a story, even abstract ones. The first question to ask is: what is the emotional journey? Is it the tragic romance of Giselle, the whimsical fantasy of The Nutcracker, or a raw, contemporary piece about human conflict?
- Classical Storytelling: For clear narratives, composers like Tchaikovsky, Delibes, or Prokofiev offer rich, programmatic scores that are practically choreographed themselves. Their music provides leitmotifs for characters and clear cues for plot points.
- Abstract & Contemporary: If the piece is about a mood or concept, you have more freedom. Minimalist composers like Philip Glass or Max Richter can provide a pulsating, repetitive structure. Modern classical composers like Ólafur Arnalds or Nils Frahm offer atmospheric soundscapes that invite nuanced, emotional interpretation.
2. Consider Rhythm, Tempo, and Phrasing
A dancer's body is an instrument played by the music. The rhythm is its heartbeat.
- Rhythm: A clear, steady rhythm is often easier for ensemble work, ensuring synchronization. Complex, syncopated, or irregular rhythms can create tension and excitement but require highly skilled dancers.
- Tempo: The speed of the music dictates the energy. A slow adagio allows for sustained, expressive lines and deep emotional connection. A brisk allegro fuels dynamic jumps and quick footwork. The best scores offer a variety of tempos to create dynamic contrast.
- Phrasing: How does the music breathe? Musical phrases—typically in 8-count or 16-count blocks—should naturally complement dance phrases. The culmination of a movement should align with the climax of a musical phrase for maximum impact.
3. Orchestration & Texture
The choice of instruments carries immense subtext. A solo violin can feel intimate and vulnerable. A full brass section heralds something grand and powerful. A harp glissando can signal magic or transition.
Think about the texture of the sound. A dense, layered orchestration might suit a large-scale production, while a sparse, simple piano piece could be perfect for a intimate duet, where every gesture is magnified.
4. Original Score vs. Existing Music
This is the classic dilemma.
- Existing (Library) Music: The world is full of beautiful compositions waiting to be moved to. The benefits are vast: immediate availability, often lower cost, and a potential built-in audience connection. The challenge is fitting your choreography into a pre-composed structure not designed for dance.
- Commissioned Original Score: This is the gold standard for creating a truly unique, cohesive work. A composer can score to your exact choreographic needs, hit specific emotional beats, and even leave space for improvisation. While more costly and time-consuming, the result is a piece of art where music and movement are inextricably linked from their inception.
5. Practicalities: Rights and Rehearsals
Dreaming of using a hit song by a famous pop artist? Be prepared for the world of licensing. Securing the rights to use copyrighted music for public performance can be complex and expensive. Always, always secure the rights before you begin choreographing. For simpler solutions, explore royalty-free music libraries or platforms that offer music specifically cleared for choreography.
Also, consider your dancers. They will listen to this music hundreds of times. Choose something that is musically interesting and not grating over long rehearsals. The music should inspire them, not fatigue them.
Ultimately, the best music for your ballet is the music that disappears. It shouldn't overpower the dancers but instead become so fused with the movement that the audience no longer hears the music and sees the dance as separate entities. They experience a single, transcendent emotion. That is the magic you are chasing. That is the scene, perfectly set.
