ballet suite from "pinocchio" (commissioned by wheelock family theatre)
BALLET SUITE FROM "PINOCCHIO" (COMMISSIONED BY WHEELOCK FAMILY THEATRE)
PROJECT INFORMATION
Miniature chamber ensemble ballet suite for flute, viola, cello, piano, and noisemakers; extracted from Mary Bichner's original score for Wheelock Family Theatre's stage play of "Pinocchio". Commissioned by Wheelock Family Theatre for their 2014-2015 seasion.
MOVEMENT DESCRIPTIONS WITH TIMECODES
I. The Blue Fairy: The Blue Fairy performs an elegant solo dance, her movements transforming night into day (0:00-1:05).
II. Burning Feet Dance: While sleeping too close to the hearth, Pinocchio’s feet suddenly catch fire. Though the puppet remains oblivious, Pinocchio’s Shadow slowly wakes up (1:08-1:15) with the feeling that something is amiss. Looking down, the Shadow jumps at the sight of Pinocchio’s burning feet (1:16), and proceeds to run around the room attempting to find ways to put out the flames (1:17-1:46). The Shadow even tries sounding noisemakers (1:47-1:48), sadly to no avail. Growing more frantic, the Shadow moves even faster around the room (1:49-1:59) until his eyes finally land on a bucket of water (2:00). He puts in one foot (2:02), then the other (2:04), and hurries off-stage with relief as the viola plays its final flourish (2:05-2:06).
III. Swallowed by Namazu: Pinocchio is tossed into the sea, bound by a rope (2:09-2:16). Sensing Pinocchio is in danger, the Blue Fairy appears and sends a magical school of fish to set Pinocchio free, as fragments of her Blue Fairy Theme sound on the glockenspiel (2:17-2:33). But just as Pinocchio begins his attempt to swim to shore, a terrible storm (2:34-3:02) sweeps in, and dancers dressed as ocean waves drag him beneath the surface. A lone viola pierces through the murky water (3:03-3:17) as an unconscious Pinocchio sinks deeper and deeper into the ocean, finally landing in the belly of Namazu (3:18-3:23), the monster catfish.
Contact INformation
For more information on this project, please contact the composer at:
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