Composer

:

Bohuslav Martinu

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

Jan 20, 1931 - Feb 11, 1932

First Performance

:

Sep 19, 1933

Average_duration

:

94:29

"Spalícek" is a ballet composed by Bohuslav Martinu in 1931. The plot of the ballet is based on a Czech folk tale about a group of young girls who go to the forest to pick flowers and end up falling asleep. While they are sleeping, they dream of a magical world where they dance with fairies and other mythical creatures. The ballet is divided into three movements. The first movement, "The Forest," sets the scene as the girls enter the forest and begin to pick flowers. The music is light and playful, with a sense of wonder and excitement. As the girls fall asleep, the music becomes more dreamlike and ethereal. The second movement, "The Dream," is the heart of the ballet. The music is full of magic and fantasy, with soaring melodies and intricate rhythms. The girls dance with fairies, goblins, and other creatures of the forest, each with their own unique character and movement style. The music is full of surprises, with sudden shifts in tempo and mood that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The final movement, "The Awakening," brings the ballet to a joyful conclusion. The girls wake up from their dream and return to the real world, but they are forever changed by their experience. The music is celebratory and triumphant, with a sense of hope and renewal. "Spalícek" premiered in Prague in 1933, and it quickly became one of Martinu's most popular works. The ballet is known for its lush orchestration, inventive choreography, and vivid storytelling. It is a testament to Martinu's skill as a composer and his deep connection to Czech folklore and culture.

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