Who wrote the music for the nutcracker?

A later version, titled The Nutcracker Suite, starred Denise Bryer and a full cast, was released in the 1960s on LP and made use of Tchaikovsky's music in the original orchestral arrangements. read more

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote the music for The Nutcracker ballet between February 1891 and April 1892. The 2 act, 3 scene ballet was written for a large, full orchestra and has some of the most recognizable classical music, heard especially during the holiday season. Many people are familiar with music from The Nutcracker. read more

The music in the Nutcracker ballet is very light and sweet. It uses the high parts of the orchestra and clever combinations of woodwind instruments to create a doll-like fantasy sound-world. The Nutcracker Ballet was the first work by a major composer which made use the celesta (like a piano, but more glassy). read more