For many, the film »Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella« is as much a part of Christmas as the twinkling candles on the tree, making it an integral part of the Christmas program. It is the little magical moments that make this enchanting love story so special: the three magic nuts that grant Cinderella’s wishes, the snow-covered landscapes, the festive ball – and, of course, the moment when the prince discovers the dainty shoe on the stairs.
But it’s not just on television that the fairy tale unfolds its magic: for several years now, the Christmas classic has regularly sold out concert halls, where the stages are transformed into a fairytale backdrop for the romantic love story. While the film is shown on a cinema screen, a large symphony orchestra accompanies the scenes with the familiar sounds, making the audience feel as if they themselves are visitors to the court ball.
The soundtrack by Czech composer Karel Svoboda contributed significantly to the film’s success – shortly after its release, Svoboda received international commissions and later composed the unforgettable melodies for animated classics such as »Maya the Bee«, »Wickie«, and »Nils Holgersson«. But it is the music for »Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella« in particular that still has a special magic today and evokes a feeling of pure happiness in listeners – almost as beautiful as the anticipation of the festival.
PROGRAM
Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel / Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella (Regie: Václav Vorlíček, ČSSR, DDR, 1973)
