Prokofiev’s Cinderella contains several distinct waltzes, each with a different dramatic purpose:
: While the waltz sounds grand and colorful to represent a royal ball, the disjointed harmonies often symbolize Cinderella’s unstable and temporary situation—a girl living a fantasy that must soon end. Prokofiev - Cinderella Suite - Cinderella's Waltz
: The waltz (specifically the Op. 102 No. 1 piano transcription) is primarily set in E Minor , a key often used for its combination of melancholy and depth. 1 piano transcription) is primarily set in E
: In the ballet, this music accompanies the moment Cinderella and the Prince dance together and realize their mutual attraction. It often transitions directly into the "Midnight" scene, where the lush waltz themes are suddenly interrupted by the mechanical, ticking percussion of the clock. Orchestration and Key Orchestration and Key Watch this performance to hear
Watch this performance to hear the colorful orchestration and the shifting moods of the Waltz: Prokofiev - Cinderella Suite - Cinderella's Waltz The Wicked North YouTube• Aug 23, 2008 Comparison to Other Waltzes in the Suite
The "Cinderella's Waltz" is celebrated for its blend of traditional romanticism and Prokofiev’s signature "wrong-note" modernism.