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When I’m doing tasks like cooking, exercising or cleaning.

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When I’m relaxing, sleeping or just “hanging out.

When I’m paying attention solely to the music

When does listening to music bring you the most joy?

I attend a few shows a year, but it’s not a large part of my life.

I regularly attend live shows and can’t get enough of them.

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I know what I like and rarely stray from my favorites.

I’m open to new things, but there are classics for a reason.

I relish discovering the new and unfamiliar.

When it comes to listening to music …

I like folk, bluegrass and more traditional forms.

If it’s improvised and cool, I’m there.

If I’m not listening to classical music, I’m listening to …

Rooted in Black music history in the Americas and worldwide.

Going beyond Western Europe traditions, often influenced by folk music.

Drawing from traditional music of the Middle East, Southeast Asia and more.

Delving into traditional music of Native Americans and other First Nations.

Surveying traditional music of Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

Exploring traditional music cultures from around the world.

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If you go to one ballet in your life, it's likely The Nutcracker.

It is the most popular show in the country, but it took a number of years to become that. In fact, even Tchaikovsky considered it one of his least successful efforts. 

It was premiered to little notice at St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre in 1892 and didn't make it to the US until the 1940's.

That's when George Balanchine and the New York City Ballet presented it and started the phenomenon we now know as the 'Nutcracker Season' a phenom so big it often funds the rest of many ballet company's entire seasons!

Gallery

Learning to Listen: Tchaikovsky's 'Winter Dreams'

Morning Glories: Tchaikovsky

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Alison Young

The Nutcracker is the most popular ballet in the United States. But it took a number of years to become that. In fact, even Tchaikovsky considered it one of his least successful efforts. Join Alison Young December 24 at 11 a.m. for flying cooks, dancing snowflakes and the sugar plum fairy herself.


The Nutcracker Ballet

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