Narrative Musicale: The Nutcracker Origins

Konstantin Soukhovetski is a pianist, composer and educator recognized for his distinctive concert programming and multimedia performances. A laureate of 17 international competitions, he has appeared at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall and The Louvre, performing in recital and with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe. Recent highlights include a Scotland tour with Absolute Classics and appearances at PianoFête in Vashon, Washington.

As director of education and community engagement at Grand Piano Series, Soukhovetski curates the series’ Narrative Musicales — multimedia programs that combine live music, storytelling and visual elements — and oversees Grand Piano Series’ educational and outreach initiatives with schools and seniors in Lee and Collier counties.

Beyond the piano, his work includes composition, libretti and interdisciplinary collaborations in dance and film. His recording, Yuliya: Forgotten Songs of Julie Weissberg Rimsky-Korsakov, with soprano Sarah Moulton-Faux, was released on Azica Records. He is a voting member of the Recording Academy (Grammy) and serves on the faculty of The Juilliard School. Born in Moscow to a family of prominent artists, he studied piano and composition at the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory. Soukhovetski has been a resident of Naples since 2024.

Program

Tchaikovsky — Selections from The Nutcracker

When the original Nutcracker debuted in 1892, it featured children playing lead roles, emphasized spookier elements of the story and was far more gothic than the upbeat Christmas story it became. After its premiere, it was considered a commercial and critical failure, criticized for a weak plot, and poor flow. Audiences found it chaotic and deemed Tchaikovsky’s score underwhelming, but all that changed after legendary choreographer George Balanchine got his hands on it in 1954. In this holiday-centric Narrative Musicales, Konstantin Soukhovetski becomes both performer and storyteller, shedding light on the original tale and bringing wit and insight to Balanchine’s beloved version. Prepare to be surprised, delighted and newly inspired.