Nutcracker
This is one of the dearest concerts to my heart, created based on the Christmas tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann in collaboration with the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and conductor Dilyaver Osmanov.
As if by magic, sand animation transports you into a fantastical world, where the magic of sand and Tchaikovsky’s enchanting music create an atmosphere filled with anticipation of a miracle. The sand images take you into the world of little Marie, where the Nutcracker faces off against the Mouse King and, after his victory, transforms into a beautiful prince. This is not just a performance, but a fantastical journey where every grain of sand and every note of the orchestra tells the story that miracles are always near — you just have to believe.
THE MAIN IDEA
SAND ANIMATION, INFUSED WITH ENCHANTMENT, AND ORCHESTRAL MUSIC, RICH WITH EMOTION, MERGE TO TELL THE STORY OF A WONDROUS JOURNEY THROUGH A CHRISTMAS FAIRY TALE.
Inspired by illustrations by Artuš Schneiner, Don Daily, Ziyi Gao, and Scott Gustafson, Svetlana Telbukh presents a unique interpretation of the classic Christmas story.
The stage transforms into a winter landscape of an old German town. Snow-covered streets, houses with brightly lit windows, gently falling snowflakes, and figures of passersby hurrying to their pre-Christmas activities create a sense of warmth and festive anticipation. The scene slowly fades away, revealing the inside of the Stahlbaum family home.
The warm glow of the fireplace fills the room, with a grand Christmas tree adorned with golden ornaments and bright lights standing in the center. Under the tree, little Marie plays with her favorite doll, while her brother Franz merrily rides a wooden horse.
In this cozy atmosphere, the mysterious guest, Uncle Drosselmeyer, presents Marie with an unusual Nutcracker. Marie excitedly plays with her new toy, then carefully puts it in the cupboard and falls asleep on the couch under the soft light of the Christmas tree.
And then, the magic begins… The room transforms: suddenly, the dolls come to life, soldiers march across the floor as if commanded by an invisible general. Soon, an army of mice led by the fearsome Mouse King appears. An epic battle ensues between the toy soldiers and the mouse army. In the climactic moment, the Nutcracker displays bravery and defeats the Mouse King, freeing the magical world from his evil rule.
The scene changes once more, and now Marie and the Nutcracker find themselves at the gates of a fairy-tale land. Together, they embark on a journey through an enchanting world, where they encounter a castle made of sweets with caramel towers, a magical lake with snow-white swans, and a magnificent Christmas tree shining at the heart of the fairy-tale palace.
As the wondrous adventure draws to a close, the room falls silent once again. On the screen appears an image of sleeping Marie on the couch with a book in her hands, as if everything that happened might have been just a dream. Beside her is the Nutcracker, who slowly transforms into a beautiful prince. But was it really so? Let the audience decide for themselves, straddling the line between dream and reality, immersed in the magic of the Christmas tale…
I am confident that this revelation will leave onlookers wondering about the strength of the human spirit in critical times.
FUTURE SHOW
SHOW
LOCATION
DATE
School Concert The Little Mermaid
Gera, Germany
February 11, 2025 09:00
Experience the enchanting tale of “The Little Mermaid” brought to life through mesmerizing sand animation by Svetlana Telbukh, in collaboration with the Theater Altenburg Gera. Under the direction of conductor Changmin Park, the orchestra will perform Benjamin Britten’s “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,” with narration by Ruth Ohlmann. This performance blends music and visual storytelling, immersing the audience in the Little Mermaid’s journey of love and curiosity in the human world.
New Year’s Concert Stories in Sand
Bremerhaven, Germany
January 1, 2025 17:00
The art of sand painting, which brings magnificent visual panoramas to life on a sandy surface projected onto a screen, has long captivated audiences. Ukrainian sand artist Svetlana Telbukh will transform the music performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra into stunning sand paintings during the New Year’s concert.
For instance, the Witches’ Sabbath at midnight on the Bald Mountain and the enchanted forest from Shakespeare and Mendelssohn’s *A Midsummer Night’s Dream* will come alive through both sound and imagery. Additionally, the broomstick from Goethe’s *The Sorcerer’s Apprentice* will playfully emerge on the screen while being musically depicted in Paul Dukas’s symphonic poem.
Metamorphosis of the soul
Zwickau, Germany
October 2, 2024 19:30
Philharmonic concert featuring captivating sand animation by Svetlana Telbukh, presented by the Clara-Schumann-Philharmoniker Plauen-Zwickau under conductor GMD Leo Siberski.
The sand animation will enhance the Fourth Symphony, visually interpreting the emotional journey from darkness to light, with each musical phrase symbolizing liberation and triumph. The concert program includes Peer Baierlein’s Davids Bündler (commissioned work, world premiere), Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 performed by Ray Harada, winner of the 2024 International Schumann Competition, and Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120.
REVIEW
Next project
Spain’s got talent
On the TV show “Spain’s Got Talent,” sand artist Svetlana Telbukh delivered something truly unique to the audience. She took on the challenging task of creating portraits of the judges using sand, a material that demands exceptional skill and precision. Every movement was carefully thought out.
The audience was stunned when they recognized the judges, and the hall erupted in a standing ovation.
Little Mermaid
Enchanting story of the “Little Mermaid” brought to life through the fascinating sand animation of Svetlana Telbukh in collaboration with the Theater Altenburg Gera. Under the direction of conductor Changmin Park, the orchestra will perform Benjamin Britten’s “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”, accompanied by the narration of Ruth Ohlmann. This performance combines music and visual storytelling and immerses the audience in the little mermaid’s journey full of love and curiosity in the human world.
Metamorphosis of the Soul
t the 2nd Philharmonic Concert, the “Schumann Open,” sand artist Svetlana Telbukh will create her own artwork during Robert Schumann’s 4th Symphony, enriching the musical experience with a stunning sand animation. Two ephemeral art forms meet, inspiring one another.
