The
timeless story of a stuffed toy rabbit, so well loved by the boy who
owned him is the basis for this suite. Four movements from "The
Velveteen Rabbit Ballet," a full-length ballet for orchestra and
dancers, is here scored as a suite for band. These four movements
describe this guileless story of an abandoned, forgotten and sad rabbit.
Through the boy's love and enchantment of the nursery magic fairy, the
rabbit becomes real. Timothy the Wooden Lion is introduced first. The
music is stately and regal to portray the toy lion "who puts on
airs of being connected with Government." Rapid, staccato passages
in the woodwinds usher in the playful "clockwork mouse."
The
Boy's Illness is a slow lamentful song that describes the sadness each
nursery toy feels when their master (the boy whom they love) becomes ill
with scarlet fever. Rich, lush and passionate harmonies with
intermittent solos alternating throughout the band give this movement
its flavor. The music for "Nana" depicts the "Swooping
and tidying up" by the person who ruled the nursery. Each theme
portrays a certain toy in the nursery while still including a
"nap-time" tune in the form of a round.
What
is real?" This question is presented to the old and wise Skin Horse
who answers; "When a child really, really loves you, then you
become real." The suite ends with an enchanting waltz. After a
short introduction the waltz is unveiled. Beginning with clarinets in
the chalumeau register to the altissimo flute range, the music evokes
the dance.
