The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky is one of the world's most beloved ballets. The story is set at Christmas time, and is filled with many small musical gems such as "The Sugar Plum Fairy". The original orchestration features a Celesta, a keyboard with a bell-like sound, which plays the main twinkly theme. The Imperial Opera Directorate commissioned Tchaikovsky to write a ballet based on E.T.A. Hoffman's story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,'' a story that Tchaikovsky disliked. This fact may have been the reason he thought his "Nutcracker" to be "infinitely poorer than The Sleeping Beauty," but ballet enthusiasts far and wide have universally disagreed. More information about Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker can be found on Wikipedia.

"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" is an instrumental piece for orchestra and therefore has no lyrics. However, in the ballet, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her attendants welcomed a little girl (Clara) at her court in the Kingdom of Sweets. This piece is probably the most recognized of any of the music from The Nutcracker.

Arrangement and orchestrations by Ricky Tims, published by Ricky Tims Music/BMI  ©2009 All Rights Reserved.

Everything on this arrangement is performed entirely by Ricky Tims.

Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker was a logical choice to include on this album because the music is so widely recognized and universally beloved. It is the first pieces that I arranged for this project. Using Tchaikovsky's original score as a jumping off point, I began to spin it in a contemporary direction while attempting to pay respect to Tchaikovsky's original. My arrangement, as does the original, starts off with a bit of mystery. My goal was to have the intensity of the music steadily build to a thrilling and climatic ending - similar to a firework show that culminates in a spectacular display.

I created layered synth sounds to emulate the distinctive Celesta part. However, I selected alternative sounds for the other parts such as the strings and bass clarinet. The stacked vocals are intended as an orchestral effect - a device I often utilize in my arrangements. The underlying percussion (not part of Tchaikovsky's score) is the primary device that drives this version forward. Personally, I think the final outcome is similar to a thrilling two and a half minute amusement park ride.