The Royal New Zealand Ballet's nationwide tour of Tchaikovsky's well-loved ballet Nutcracker is in full swing, with performances around New Zealand until 20 December.
RNZ Concert's Clarissa Dunn talks with former RNZB Principal Dancer Pauline Tronson-Germon, who shares some of her favourite pieces of ballet music - all from roles she has danced - as well as the memories that come along with them.
"I've always felt music speaks to the soul, and I have been blessed all my career... to be listening to some of the most beautiful music ever composed."
Pauline Tronson and Jon Trimmer in the ballet Flower Festival in Genzano. Photo: Supplied / Pauline Tronson-Germon
Music in interview:
Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich: Pas de deux, from The Nutcracker (excerpt) - Scottish National Orchestra/Neeme Järvi (Chandos CHAN 6598)
Helsted, Edvard: Pas de deux, from Flower Festival at Genzano (excerpt) - London Symphony Orchestra/Richard Bonynge (Decca 433 862)
Prokofiev, Sergei: Death of Juliet, from Romeo and Juliet (excerpt) - Berlin Philharmonic/Claudio Abbado (DG 453 439)
Pauline Tronson and Malcolm Burn in Prokofiev's ballet Romeo & Juliet. Photo: Supplied / Pauline Tronson-Germon
Pauline Tronson (the Sugar Plum Fairy) and Tim Storey in Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet. Photo: Supplied / Pauline Tronson-Germon
