This 1816 story is perhaps best known as the basis for tchaikovskys popular ballet, but hoffmanns holiday legend is where the spell begins. It is christmas eve, and young mary and fred are opening presents from their godfather, drosselmeier the toymaker. Looking back we discover that this story has a history as varied and rich as the land of sweets itself. The nutcracker and the mouse king work by hoffmann britannica. The story of the nutcracker is loosely based on the e. Hoffmann practised law in order to support his ideal artistic life. Hoffmans the nutcracker and the mouse king is the inspiration for what remains the most performed ballet in the world.
The nutcracker ballet is based on the story the nutcracker and the king of mice written by e. 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. 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. The nutcracker is the story of clara, a little girl who is given a wooden nutcracker as a christmas gift by the mysterious dr. The nutcracker and the mouse king translated into french. The original version of the nutcracker and the mouse king by e.
Her edition included woodcut illustrations that helped bring the story to life for readers in. This eyeopening new volume presents two of the tales earliest versions, both in new translations. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the story of the nutcracker. Hoffmann in which young marie stahlbaums favorite christmas toy, the nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil mouse king in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls. 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. Hoffmanns beloved classic in her simplified coloring book version of the original story. 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. 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. Illustrator thea kliros captures the mood and charm of e. The nutcracker returns and suddenly turns into a prince, who looks just like drosselmeyers nephew. What can you learn from this story and the life of e. 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.
Hoffmann perlipats mother was the wife of a kingthat is, a queen. 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. Hoffmann, in which young marie stahlbaums favourite christmas toy, the nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil mouse king in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls. Marie, seven, and her brother, fritz, eight, sit outside the parlor. A download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Hoffmanns 1816 fairy tale the nutcracker and the mouse king. Hoffmann, 9780486291536, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Hoffmann, a german romantic author of fantasy and horror, composer, music critic, and caricaturist. The story of the nutcracker delightful tale of a little girls love for an enchanted nutcracker, with all the wonderful scenes. 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 ballet version of the nutcracker wasnt directly based on the short story by eta hoffmann, but on a retelling called the story of a nutcracker. His original story was much darker than the version we now know.
Stahlbaums children were not allowed to set foot in the family parlor. One of five beloved christmas classics 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. The original stories behind everyones favorite christmas ballet it wasnt until the 1950s that seeing the nutcracker at christmastime became an american tradition. Hoffmanns nutcracker and mouse king 1816, in which. Hoffmann published his story, the nutcracker and the mouse king. The dark, romantic roots of the nutcracker few people today remember e. Librivox recording of nutcracker and mouse king by e. The nutcracker and the mouse king work by hoffmann. Its director, andrey konchalovskiy, worked on this adaptation of tchaikovskys the nutcracker ballet for twenty years. The story of the hard nut 19thcentury german stories. Nutcracker and mouse king and the tale of the nutcracker.
In 1892, the russian composer pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky and choreographers marius. The only difference lies in the fact that the story primarily focusses on children rather than adults. The kindermahrchen also includes another childrens tale by. Read this christmas story and find out why it has charmed generations of people. Why this was once the worlds creepiest ballet from pedophilic godfathers to gruesome seven. Hoffmanns story is darker and more troubling than the version that. Maurice sendak designed brilliant sets and costumes for the pacific northwest ballets christmas production of nutcracker and has created. Hoffmanns renowned christmas story, which inspired tchaikovskys ballet the nutcracker. The nutcracker and the mouse king was a story by e. Here is the original tale of sevenyearold marie and her beloved nutcracker, beset by a dark mystery that surrounds this story within a story. 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 leaves and the bed finds its way into a snowcovered forest.
In 1892, the story premiered on the russian ballet stage as the nutcracker by tchaikovsky. Hoffmann is well known for his classic childrens tale, nutcracker and mouseking, which was penned in german in 1816. Hoffmann, but most everyone is familiar with his most famous creation. He joined with the eminent translator ralph manheim to produce this illustrated edition of hoffmanns wonderful tale, destined to become a classic for all ages. Tony robinson stars in this bbc radio 4 fullcast dramatisation of e. The story of the nutcracker kindle edition by hoffmann, e. Although what is seen on the stage today is different in detail from the original story, the basic plot remains the same. 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.
Many subsequent adaptations of the story have been based more closely on the ballet than on hoffmanns original novel. The story was translated into many other languages and spread widely throughout europe. After his fathers death he has a very bad childhood ending when he went to university to study law between 179295. It has retained its freshness because it appeals to the sense of wonder we all share. Nutcracker and mouse king the story begins on christmas eve at the stahlbaum house.
The nutcracker and the mouse king literawiki fandom. These tales, with their mysterious atmospheres and weird happenings, influenced writers such as poe, stevenson, kafka and freud. The nutcracker and the mouse king background gradesaver. That inspiration is second hand, however, for the story told in the christmastime tradition, the nutcracker ballet suite, is not technically an adaptation of hoffmanns significantly different and darker original. From the folk tales of eta hoffman and alexandre dumas to tchaikovskys ballet and beyond, translater sarah ardizzone traces the evolution. Right down to the core of its conception, the nutcracker in 3d now known on video in 2d as the nutcracker. Hoffmann s story is darker and more troubling than the version that reached the stage. The story of the nutcracker in pictures books the guardian. Eta hoffmann published his nutcracker and mouse king. About nutcracker and mouse king and the tale of the nutcracker.
Included are all the wonderful scenes and characters. The nutcracker and the mouse king project gutenberg self. The story of the hard nut from nutcracker and mouseking e. In the 1892 production, claras adventure with the nutcracker from the battle with the mice to the journey to confituremburg was a real adventure, just like in hoffmanns original story, and the ballet ended with clara and the nutcrackerprince staying in the land of sweets and being crowned its new rulers. Dumas simplified the original story, which was multilayered with a story within the story within the story, kind of like a gobstopper. Published in 1816, the original story was a complex world of intrigue, adventure, and true love between a girl and her nutcracker doll. To find the nutcrackers origins, we must first travel to germany in 1816, when author and composer e. He had been turned into a nutcracker by the evil mouse king, and only by the kings death. In december of 2011, i wrote a variety of blogs about e. The gift of a handsomely decorated nutcracker from a mysterious uncle sets the stage for a christmas eve like no other for the little girl marie. His first ambition had been to paint but he soon fell in love with music even changing one of his middle names to amadeus in.
The nutcracker, though such a familiar fixture in the calendar, is among the most layered of all works of art. And thanks to the lush musical score, the story has lived on and thrives in our imaginations nearly 200 years after it was first published. The story of the nutcracker kindle edition by hoffmann. That night, she experiences the nutcrackers battle with an army of mice and his transformation into a handsome prince.
The nutcracker on the twentyfourth of december, dr. The story of a young german girl who dreams of a nutcracker prince and a fierce battle against a mouse king with. However, what you probably dont know is that the original nutcracker story was written years early in 1816. Nutcracker and mouse king and the tale of the nutcracker by.
But the story itself is much older and its original intent more complex. Hoffmann in 1816, has fascinated and inspired artists, composers, and audiences for almost two hundred years. The king was beside himself for joy as he saw his beautiful little daughter lying in her cradle. The story of the original nutcracker a mothers random. It tells the story of a little girl who goes to the land of sweets on christmas eve. The world would probably not know of the nutcracker if it werent for alexandre dumas.
Ernst theodor amadeus hoffmann commonly abbreviated as e. It was the tale of a little girl, marie, and her christmas toys. Hoffmans bestknown story today is the nutcracker and the mouse king, giving rise as it did to the famous ballet set to tchaikovskys score. Hoffmanns the nutcracker and the mouse king and a number of its adaptations. Reutersfabrizio bensch the nutcracker s disturbing origin story. The dark roots of the nutcracker and the man who wrote. The nutcracker and its many mysteries the new york times. Its an irresistible tale of a toy soldier that turns into a prince. Now young children can enjoy this beloved classic in a specially abridged version by bob blaisdell.
Originally written in the early twentieth century, the story of a. Hoffmann 1999, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. He was a germanborn in prussia, which is now russia, and he was a lawyer and judge. The origin of the nutcracker, a classic christmas story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a familys christmas eve celebration. It was also hoffmanns fantastic imagination that makes his novella, the nutcracker and the mouse king, so very memorable. Hoffmann was set to music by tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by. One of hoffmanns stories was adapted by the french writer alexandre dumas. His stories form the basis of jacques offenbachs opera the tales of hoffmann, in which hoffmann appears heavily fictionalized as the hero. Ivan vsevolozhsky and marius petipa adapted hoffmanns story for the ballet.
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