Many students have attended the Berkshire Ballet Company’s presentation of Tchaikovsky’s ballet and others have seen video productions. How many have read the book written by E. T. A. Hoffman? There are a number of variations of the original story that was written in 1816 after Hoffman first saw a nutcracker in the Leipzigmarket. The original story is entitled The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The ballet debuted in 1892 based a lighter version of the story written by French author Alexander Dumas in 1844. Tchaikovsky was commissioned by the director of the Imperial Theater of St. Petersburg to create a musical score for the story to be performed by the ballet company. In 1940 the ballet was finally performed in the United States for the first time. The music is delightful and just listening to it you can visualize the toys helping the nutcracker fight off the Mouse King, the sugar plum fairies dancing and the snowflakes twirling.
There is a legend in Germany that tells of the first nutcracker being carved. No one is sure this is true but artifacts tell us that the tradition of nutcrackers is at least 250 years old. It is said that a wealthy but miserly old farmer wanted to be able to crack nuts without much effort. He offered a reward to anyone who could find an easy way to crack nuts. One day a puppet craver from the village of Seiffen brought a brightly painted puppet with a large mouth and strong jaws to the farmer. The farmer was so grateful that he set the puppet carver up with a new shop and studio.
I introduced this as a drawing unit to a variety of age groups. We listened to the story and the music and looked at nutcrackers that are on display around our room. Students quickly realized that the basic shape of a rectangle repeated itself over and over again as they looked at and drew nutcrackers. Some classes used cut paper rectangles to help them create theirs while others drew them free hand. A variety of materials from colored pencils to glitter crayons to watercolors completed their projects. Many are on display around our school. Check out the following website for more information http://www.eurochristmas.com/geninfo/nuts.htm.
At this time of year, it is always meaningful and fun to look at the
celebrations, customs, and traditions of other cultures. The art work and styles
are varied and offer an understanding and respectful glance into the lives of
others. We wish you all the Best of Holiday Seasons! Happy New Year!
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