[Publius]

For a long time, choreographers wanted ballet music that didn't get in the way of the dancers showing off their chops. It was Leo Delibes who broke the mold on that tradition with his groudbreaking scores for "Coppelia" and "Sylvia". Then Tchaikovsky took it to the next level with "Swan Lake", "Sleeping Beauty" and "The Nutcracker". Then along came Stravinsky who redefined ballet music once more.

"Giselle" belongs on both sides of the Delibes period, which is why it doesn't rate the same acclaim as the Tchaikovsky scores.

[hoe_cake]

You are a doctor of music, perhaps?

[AnAmericanMother]

Yeah, but the "32 fouettes" are in Swan Lake. Talk about showing off your chops . . . .