Play ballet music on the piano! A curated selection of exquisite masterpieces that color iconic scenes
Ballet, with its dancers in beautiful costumes and their dazzling, elegant movements, is truly captivating.
Beyond the dance itself, the music—essential to the unfolding of each story—is also incredibly appealing, filled with melodies that linger in the memory.
This time, we’ve selected only the most famous pieces from the world of ballet music—masterworks that even those not familiar with ballet have likely heard somewhere.
Alongside piano performance videos, we’ll share the background and allure of each piece.
While ballet music is typically performed by an orchestra, some of the works we’ll introduce here include arrangements for solo piano based on the original ballet scores.
Enjoy exploring the world of ballet while appreciating the differences from the originals!
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Let's play ballet music on the piano! A carefully selected collection of gem-like masterpieces that color iconic scenes (1–10)
BoleroMaurice Ravel
Boléro is one of the representative orchestral works by Maurice Ravel, a leading French composer of the early 20th century.
Premiered at the Paris Opéra on November 22, 1928, the piece was composed at the request of the Russian dancer Ida Rubinstein.
Boléro has a distinctive structure in which an original two-part theme is repeated in 18 variations, characterized by a monotonous snare drum rhythm and orchestration that passes the melody from instrument to instrument.
This combination gradually increases the volume and intensity as the piece progresses, leading to an overwhelming, impressive climax.
It’s also recommended to perform it as an ensemble for percussion and piano that emphasizes the distinctive rhythm!
Scheherazade, Op. 35Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, known as a member of the Mighty Handful, left numerous operas rich in folk color and brilliantly orchestrated orchestral works.
His masterpiece Scheherazade, Op.
35, is a symphonic suite completed in 1888, themed on the tales of The Arabian Nights.
Using vivid orchestration and solo violin, the work skillfully depicts the world of the stories.
Its four movements each portray a different tale, stimulating the listener’s imagination.
This piece continues to captivate audiences with its musical beauty and narrative quality, and it can be regarded as a masterpiece that showcases Rimsky-Korsakov’s creativity and craftsmanship.
Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op. 61 (incidental music)Felix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn was a German composer who represents the early Romantic era.
His works are known for honoring the Classical style while incorporating the emotion and imagination of Romanticism.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op.
61, published in 1842, is one of his notable works, and the Wedding March in particular is widely loved as background music for weddings.
The piece is characterized by its brilliant, majestic melody, evoking the cheerful shouts of fairies and the happiness of lovers.
Why not enjoy this masterpiece—an elegant musical expression of the dreamlike world Mendelssohn paints—through a piano performance as well?
Let's Play Ballet Music on the Piano! A Selection of Exquisite Masterpieces That Illuminate Iconic Scenes (11–20)
Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65Carl Maria von Weber
Carl Maria von Weber, an early figure in German Romantic music, played a decisive role in the development of German Romantic opera.
Invitation to the Dance, Op.
65—also known as the Brilliant Rondo—is one of his piano works and a perennial favorite.
Composed in 1819 for his wife Caroline and first published in Paris in 1821, the piece takes the form of a set of waltzes with an introduction and coda, depicting a dramatic narrative.
Beyond the refinement and passion required to align the delicate notes elegantly, the work is also notable for its many arrangements, including Berlioz’s orchestral version.
Waltz from the ballet music Swan LakePyotr Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, one of Russia’s foremost composers, left behind numerous masterpieces of ballet music, including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker.
Many of his ballet pieces have been arranged for solo piano; among them, the Waltz from Swan Lake is especially popular.
While the original is performed by an orchestra, the piano version is characterized by its lively rhythm and elegant melody.
Be sure to compare it with the original and explore expressions unique to the piano.
Practice diligently so you can perform this sprightly waltz with joy and brilliance!
From the ballet music Ma mère l’Oye: 5. The Fairy GardenMaurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel, one of France’s foremost composers, excelled at expressing in music the world of fairy tales that stirs childhood memories and the imagination.
In particular, his piano four-hands suite Ma mère l’Oye, composed between 1908 and 1910 and inspired by works such as Charles Perrault’s Tales of Mother Goose, is a characteristically delicate and richly colored creation.
The fifth movement, The Fairy Garden, is marked by a beautiful melody befitting the suite’s finale.
The sensuous timbre of the violin evokes the story’s climax, drawing listeners into a fairy-tale realm.
Suggestive of a scene from Sleeping Beauty, this movement radiates a brilliant, fantastical glow worthy of a finale, making it an ideal recommendation even for those new to Ravel’s music.
Giselle’s Variation from the ballet music “Giselle”Adolphe Adam
Adolphe Adam was active in the 19th century as a French composer, music teacher, and music critic.
From his masterwork, the ballet Giselle, the heroine’s important solo, Giselle’s Variation, is striking music that heightens the story’s climax.
Set in a medieval German village, it tells a tragic love story in which the kind-hearted village girl Giselle dies after her lover’s betrayal, becomes a Wili, and ultimately saves him.
The piece expresses the heroine’s pure love and sorrow, as well as her strong will.
In particular, the phrases that convey Giselle’s innocence and joy in dance likely symbolize her humanity.