Ballet Quote by James Newton Howard
“The colors of 'The Nutcracker' ballet score have become a part of the vocabulary of film music. It's where so much of the 19th-century romantic music that I call upon as a film composer is rooted.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Composer Talk, 2015
The Nutcracker’s tonal palette informs his film scoring, linking 19th‑century romantic music to modern cinematic language.
In simple terms: He uses classic ballet tones in film music.
Blend classic and modern sounds.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- film composition
- orchestration
- educational workshops
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does historic music influence your compositions?
- When should you break from tradition?
Relying on past styles may hinder originality.