Tchaikovsky himself didn’t think much of the music, considering it to be basic and unmoving, compared to his Sleeping Beauty or Swan Lake. Little did he know, "The Nutcracker" being set into the magical motion of ballet eventually rose on its own. It did not achieve its ultimate fame until after the composer’s death.
The music in the ballet is extremely lighthearted and melodious, utilizing the high parts of the orchestra, clever combinations of woodwind instruments, and charming characters to create a doll-like fantasy sound-world. This combination gripped audiences worldwide for its magnificent music thus considered to be the most popular traditional ballets around the world, especially in North America!
From the time of its creation by Tchaikovsky, it earned numerous stage adaptations; Christmas celebrations today are incomplete without "The Nutcracker" in some capacity.
Learn more about the inspiring story behind it at: https://galaxymusicnotes.com/pages/about-the-nutcracker-by-tchaikovsky