My favorite version of the story is the one by alexandre dumas called the tale of the nutcracker. Dec 11, 2012 the nutcracker and the mouse king german. The story of the hard nut 19thcentury german stories. Overview a perennial favorite at christmastime, this captivating story of a little girls love for an enchanted nutcracker will delight youngsters and the young at heart the year round. The nutcracker ballet is based on the story the nutcracker and the king of mice written by e. The nutcracker and the mouse king literawiki fandom. Christmas eve at the stahlbaum house, the arrival of godpapa drosselmeier and the presentation of the nutcracker, the fierce battle between the nutcracker and the sevenheaded mouse king, and much more. Right down to the core of its conception, the nutcracker in 3d now known on video in 2d as the nutcracker. It tells of the vivid imagination of a child and the perpetual distrust of adults.
Sep, 2016 this book is a great version of the nutcracker with beautiful illustrations. The basics are covered but wish they put a little more into it. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. In the tale, young marie stahlbaums favorite christmas toy, the nutcracker, comes alive and, after. Hoffman s bestknown story today is the nutcracker and the mouse king, giving rise as it did to the famous ballet set to tchaikovskys score. Its director, andrey konchalovskiy, worked on this adaptation of tchaikovskys the nutcracker ballet for twenty years. To sweeten the anticipation and prolong the joy or just to establish a lovely traditionsettle in with this charming retelling of a young girls dreamy visit to the land of the sugarplum fairy. Hoffman s magical tale of an enchanted nutcracker, an evil mouse king, and a faithful young girl has been a holiday classic for generations.
The nutcracker and the mouse king is wellloved by many as the inspiration for tchaikovskys famous ballet, performed as a christmas spectacle the world over. One of the ten best illustrated childrens books of the year. As to the crown drosselmayer said that this was his gift for her and refused to admit the nutcracker to be his nephew toy stood in its place in the closet. Aug 29, 2018 tchaikovskys nutcracker, the story of a young girls journey to a magical land on christmas eve, is perhaps not only the composers most famous work but also one of the most famous ballets of all time. Christmas eve lyrics during the long, long day of the twentyfourth of december, the children of doctor stahlbaum were not permitted to enter the. The dark, romantic roots of the nutcracker few people today remember e. He is based on the nutcracker from the story the nutcracker and the mouse king by e. The story begins on christmas eve in 19th century germany. Hoffmanns nutcracker and mouse king 1816, in which a young girl is whisked away to the land of toys to help her animated nutcracker defeat the mouse king, and alexandre dumass 1845 adaptation, the tale of the nutcracker, based on hoffmanns popular work. Captain phillip hoffman also known as phillip the nutcracker is the title character and male protagonist of the movie the nutcracker and the four realms, played by jayden foworaknight. While the original story was centered around a girl named marie and was considered dark and scary, french writer alexandre dumas adapted it to be much lighter. One of hoffmanns stories was adapted by the french writer alexandre dumas. Christmas eve at the stahlbaum house, the arrival of godpapa drosselmeier and the presentation of the nutcracker, the fierce battle between the nutcracker and the sevenheaded mouse king, the adventures in christmas wood, toyland, marzipan.
Helping nutcrackers sisters about the house marie suddenly woke up in her bed. However, what you probably dont know is that the original nutcracker story was written years early in 1816. Ive seen the ballet but this was my first time reading the book that the ballet is based off of. The original stories behind everyones favorite christmas ballet it wasnt until the 1950s that seeing the nutcracker at christmastime became an american tradition. Hoffman in the early 1800s, then to the remake of the story by alexandre dumas later in.
The nutcracker and the mouse king summary gradesaver. Marie, seven, and her brother, fritz, eight, sit outside the parlor. His original story was much darker than the version we now know. Written in 1816 by one of the leaders of german romanticism for his children, nephews, and nieces, the nutcracker captures better than any other story a childs.
Hoffmanns irresistible tale of magic and childhood adventure continues to captivate readers of all ages. Hoffmann 1776 1822 the original story of the nutcracker, weird and wonderful by one of the masters of horror and weirdness. A christmas eve party at the stahlbaum house where clara is given the nutcracker as a christmas present. A french writer, he wrote a revised vision of eta hoffman s the nutcracker and the mouse king titled lhistoire dun casse noisette the story of a hazelnutcracker. In 1892, the russian composer pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky and choreographers marius petipa and lev ivanov turned alexandre dumass adaptation of the story into the ballet the nutcracker.
The story of the nutcracker is loosely based on the e. It has retained its freshness because it appeals to the sense of wonder we all share. Hoffmann was born on the 24th of january 1776 in konigsberg now russia as the son of a lawyer. Embed embed for hosted blogs and item hoffman s magical tale of an enchanted nutcracker, an evil mouse king, and a faithful young girl has been a holiday classic for generations. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Combined here with the muchloved music of tchaikovskys nutcracker suite, the narrated story unfolds with a bewitching blend of wonder and drama that is sure to delight time and time again. Nutcracker and mouse king and the tale of the nutcracker. Hoffmanns original story, the nutcracker and mouse king, maries claras, journey becomes a fevered delirium that transports her to a land where she sees sparkling christmas forests and marzipan castles, but in a world populated with dolls. Hoffmanns beloved classic in her simplified coloring book version of the original story.
Delightful tale of a little girls love for an enchanted nutcracker, with all the wonderful scenes. Marie is quite alone, i read hoffmann s original tale, and just like marie i was whisked away to a world of dancing sugarplum fairies, icy forests and playful imagination. Hoffman s the nutcracker and the mouse king is the inspiration for what remains the most performed ballet in the world. The story of the nutcracker kindle edition by hoffmann.
The nutcracker and the mouse king study guide contains a biography of e. Hoffmann in 1816, has fascinated and inspired artists, composers, and audiences for almost two hundred years. Dumas version is famously more saccharine than hoffmans lugubrious tale, and when tchaikovsky was commissioned to compose the score for. A christmas tradition the nutcracker jeff howards las. Why this was once the worlds creepiest ballet from pedophilic godfathers to gruesome sevenheaded mice, the first versions of. The dark roots of the nutcracker and the man who wrote. Hoffmanns the nutcracker and the mouse king and a number of its adaptations. His name used to be hugely famous, but nowadays, it. Originally written in the early twentieth century, the story of a little girls love for an enchanted nutcracker has delighted generations of readers, while the tchaikovsky ballet based on the tale has become a holiday tradition. About nutcracker and mouse king and the tale of the nutcracker. Hoffman, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The text is simply enough for young kids to understand. The story of the original nutcracker a mothers random thoughts. The nutcracker turns into a prince and takes clara on a journey to the land of snow, an enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes.
Hoffmann fantasy story the nutcracker and the mouse king, about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on christmas eve and wages a battle against the evil mouse king. The nutcracker tells a story about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on christmas eve and wages a battle against the evil mouse king. It is christmas eve, and young mary and fred are opening presents from their godfather, drosselmeier the toymaker. Although there are several translations of other works by hoffmann from the mid 1820s onwards, its character as a childrens book seems to have set it apart and caused translators to avoid it. The remainder of hoffmann s story is aimed at achieving that solution through marie and the nutcracker. Be sure to check out the nutcracker site before you decide where you will see a holiday performance of the nutcracker. The nutcracker story the nutcracker was first presented 123 years ago at the mariinsky theatre in st. She awakens in bed and is saluted by the nutcracker prince. I do think it is a very abbreviated version of the story. This eyeopening new volume presents two of the tales earliest versions, both in new translations.
One of six beloved christmas classics in collectible hardcover editions written in 1816 by one of the leaders of german romanticism for his children, nephews, and nieces, the nutcracker captures better than any other story a childs wonder at christmas. Ivan vsevolozhsky and marius petipa adapted hoffmann s story for the ballet. Feb 26, 2020 the nutcracker, ballet by pyotr tchaikovsky. Hoffmann, 9780486291536, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. It tells the story of a little girl who goes to the land of sweets on christmas eve. Since that time, there have been two highly noteworthy derivative works released and i came across other adaptations, so ive decided to revisit the story this december.
The nutcracker and the mouse king work by hoffmann. Written in 1816 by one of the leaders of german romanticism for his children, nephews, and nieces, the nutcracker captures better than any other story a childs wonder at christmas. Ernst theodor amadeus hoffmann 17761822 was a german author, artist, and composer who is best remembered for his story the nutcracker and the king of mice. Your imagination is stimulated by his wonderful use of words. Dec 25, 20 the dark roots of the nutcracker and the man who wrote it this is the time of year when one mans work is widely if indirectly celebrated. Hoffmann s story is a delight to read whether you are a child or adult. The story of the nutcracker delightful tale of a little girls love for an enchanted nutcracker, with all the wonderful scenes. The nutcracker site provides a central location for nutcracker ballet information. Hoffmann s novelette the nutcracker and the mouse king, the story which inspired the ballet. Nutcracker and mouse king the story begins on christmas eve at the stahlbaum house. One of the largest differences between the hoffman tale and the ballet we see on most stages today is the missing story within a story, or as hoffman named it, the story of the hard nut. Hoffmann in which young marie stahlbaums favorite christmas toy, the nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil mouse king in battle, whisks her. I read this book for the nutcracker november 19 readalong that happened this month on instagram. The original story of the nutcracker, weird and wonderful by.
He managed to get into the bureaucratic services of the state prussia, but was not considered too well. Hoffman, with elements of moscow ballets great russian nutcracker tale. Included are all the wonderful scenes and characters. A bbc radio weekly serial adaptation by brian sibley of e. The story of the hard nut from nutcracker and mouseking e.
Peter tchaikovsky, the famous russian composer, was commissioned by mastermind choreographer marius petipa to compose the ballet, score based on alexandre dumass adaptation of e. Hoffmann practised law in order to support his ideal artistic life. The story of the original nutcracker a mothers random. Hoffmann, german writer, composer, and painter known for his stories in which supernatural and sinister characters move in and out of mens lives, ironically revealing tragic or grotesque sides of human nature. Hoffmann, a german romantic author of fantasy and horror, composer, music critic, and caricaturist. Mostly, hoffmann s story focuses on the evil mouse king and the nutcracker s long battle. You may have seen hoffmans name recently in matthew guerrieris.
The story is set in turnofthecentury moscow and follows the young masha known traditionally as clara as she travels through a wondrous christmas eve dream in which she and her nutcracker prince are escorted by. Tony robinson stars in this bbc radio 4 fullcast dramatisation of e. Hoffmans magical tale of an enchanted nutcracker, an evil mouse king, and a faithful young girl has been a holiday classic. Hoffmann s story is darker and more troubling than the version that. The dark roots of the nutcracker and the man who wrote it. Librivox recording of nutcracker and mouse king by e. The king was beside himself for joy as he saw his beautiful little daughter lying in her cradle.
Although what is seen on the stage today is different in detail from the original story, the basic plot remains the same. The ballet was based on a french retelling of the story, and hoffmann s german original is rarely translated in its entirety. Description a perennial favorite at christmastime, this captivating story of a little girls love for an enchanted nutcracker will delight youngsters and the young at heart the year round. Hoffmann 1999, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. But the story itself is much older and its original intent more complex.
I have long wondered about the source of the nutcracker ballet. The nutcracker and the mouse king is a story written in 1816 by prussian author e. In hoffman s nutcracker, marie or clara as she is known in some versions today wakes up in her bed after the battle with the mice. We look at the origins of the nutcracker as a short story by e. The last of his three ballets, it was first performed in december 1892. A further link between hamiltons and hoffmann s tales comes from the commentary that each author has his story audience make on the embedded tale that they have just heard. Nprs robert siegel traces the history of everyones favorite christmas ballet all the way back to its much darker original version. He was a germanborn in prussia, which is now russia, and he was a lawyer and judge. The gift of a handsomely decorated nutcracker from a mysterious uncle sets the stage for a. Hoffmannalexandre dumas, the history of a nutcracker, in a picture storybook n.
Hoffmann s 1816 fairy tale the nutcracker and the mouse king. Hoffmann perlipats mother was the wife of a kingthat is, a queen. The name the nutcracker and the mouse king is associated with the plot basis of the work, built on the clash of two fairy kingdoms puppet and mouse. Hoffmanns renowned christmas story, which inspired tchaikovskys ballet the nutcracker.
The story concerns a girl named marie, who is given a nutcracker which looks like. The story of a young german girl who dreams of a nutcracker prince and a fierce battle against a mouse king with. Hoffmann, but most everyone is familiar with his most famous creation. The product of a broken home, hoffmann was reared by an uncle. It was the tale of a little girl, marie, and her christmas toys. The nutcracker ballet is derived from the story the nutcracker and the king of mice which was written e. The nutcracker and the mouse king background gradesaver. Hoffmanns original story, the nutcracker and mouse king, marie s claras, journey becomes a fevered delirium that transports her to a land where she sees sparkling christmas forests and marzipan castles, but in a world populated with dolls. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Nutcracker performance listings are provided by state and city and by the company performing the nutcracker ballet.
The dark roots of the nutcracker and the man who wrote it this is the time of year when one mans work is widely if indirectly celebrated. The story of the nutcracker in pictures books the guardian. Now young children can enjoy this beloved classic in a specially abridged version by bob blaisdell. Hoffmanns tales were so bizarre, sigmund freud wrote about them in the uncanny. Dec 24, 2015 our narrator is tethered to a chair in the boudoir of a french childrens party and the society brats refuse to untether him until he has told them a gripping story. Nutcracker and mouse king and the tale of the nutcracker by e. In december of 2011, i wrote a variety of blogs about e.
Adults as well as children look forward to attending an annual performance of the nutcracker. The nutcracker and the mouse king was a story by e. The prince escorts clara to the land of sweets where they are greeted by the sugar plum fairy. The nutcracker and the mouse king, analysis of the tale. That inspiration is second hand, however, for the story told in the christmastime tradition, the nutcracker ballet suite, is not technically an adaptation of hoffmann s significantly different and darker original. Hoffman and the ballet by pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky.
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