Composer

:

Leó Weiner

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1912

Prince Csongor and the Goblins, Op. 10 is a ballet composed by Hungarian composer Leó Weiner in 1917. The ballet tells the story of Prince Csongor, who is kidnapped by a group of mischievous goblins and taken to their underground kingdom. The goblins are fascinated by the prince's beauty and grace, and they force him to dance for them. However, the prince is determined to escape and return to his kingdom. The ballet is divided into three movements. The first movement, titled "The Kidnapping," introduces the prince and the goblins. The goblins sneak into the prince's castle and abduct him while he is sleeping. The second movement, "The Dance of the Goblins," features the goblins forcing the prince to dance for them. The music is playful and mischievous, reflecting the goblins' nature. The third movement, "The Escape," sees the prince finally breaking free from the goblins' grasp and returning to his kingdom. Prince Csongor and the Goblins, Op. 10 premiered on December 16, 1917, at the National Theatre in Budapest. The ballet was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it quickly became a staple of the Hungarian ballet repertoire. The ballet's popularity was due in part to Weiner's use of Hungarian folk music, which gave the work a distinctly nationalistic flavor. One of the characteristics of Prince Csongor and the Goblins, Op. 10 is its use of leitmotifs. Weiner uses recurring musical themes to represent different characters and ideas in the ballet. For example, the prince's theme is a regal melody played on the strings, while the goblins' theme is a playful, staccato motif played on the woodwinds. Overall, Prince Csongor and the Goblins, Op. 10 is a charming and whimsical ballet that showcases Weiner's skill as a composer. Its use of Hungarian folk music and leitmotifs make it a unique and memorable work in the ballet repertoire.

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