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The ballet Checkmate has 12 scenes and its execution takes 45-50 minutes 1oPrologue - The Opponents The mood of the ballet is set by the sombre opening prelude. As the curtain rises we see two players sitting motionless on a raised dais with a chessboard between them. The Golden Player removes her visor disclosing the features of Love. The Black Player slowly strips off his gauntlet disclosing the skeleton arm of Death. They turn the board three times to see who will make the first move: love wins and raises a red pawn to her heart. The lights dim and the curtains slowly close. 2o)Dance of the Red Pawns The curtains open again and the stage is now set up as a giant chessboard. The Red Pawns enter in this predominantly buoyant and cheerful movement which contrasts strongly with the ominous threats of the prologue. 3o)The Dance of the Knights The two Red Knights enter to a wide-leaping angular theme with prominent syncopated rhythms followed by the two Black Knights where a rushing semiquaver figure with prominent triplets is the main feature. The Red Knights challenge their Black counterparts to a display of bravura and the tension is brilliantly built up until a boldly defiant climax is reached.
«Checkmate - Royal Ballet 2007 4o)The Entry of the Black Queen Bliss shows a wide range of expression throughout the ballet, and as a contrast with the hectic climax of the Knights' Dance we have music of seductive beauty for the Black Queen played by the clarinet. The first Red Knight is hypnotised by her beauty and as she leaves the stage with her escort, she throws him a black rose. 5-6o)The Red Knight's Mazurka & Red Bishops' Ceremony This is the only section of the ballet which bears a formal dance label as the Red Knight executes an exuberant solo. After a dramatic figure on the timpani three Red pawns enter carrying the banners of the Red Knights then take up ceremonial positions to receive the two Red Bishops. The Ceremony of the Red Bishops follows without a break as a church bell anticipates the stately entry of the Bishops. It is a lyrical interlude, well placed, before the tension mounts.
«Checkmate - Royal Ballet 2007 7 o)The Red Pieces The Rooks (Castles for non-chessplayers) come onstage in long strides. They represent the machinery of war and convey the impression that Force must be the final arbiter. During the final bars the Red pieces and Pawns prepare for the arrival of their King and Queen, whose approach is signalled by a brass fanfare figure. 8 o)The Red King & Queen Enter Without a break in the music the feeble old King enters accompanied by his much younger Queen. These central characters of the Red side make their way slowly to the throne at the back of the stage accompanied by music of a wistful character and rhythmic instability. All the pieces have now taken up their positions - and the game may commence.
«Checkmate - Royal Ballet 2007 9 o)The Attack This scene begins exultantly with brass fanfares and the sound of castanets to give an indication of the bustle of this opening phase of the game. The stage is alive with the intricate manoeuvres of the chess battle manoeuvres until a forceful climax is reached (brass figure over tremolo strings) as the Black Queen puts the Red King into check.
«Checkmate - Royal Ballet 2007 The King looks for assistance and summons up his Bishops (return of their stately theme by the orchestra) but they are waved aside angrily by the Black Queen. The Red Queen implores the Black Queen to spare the King (we hear a plaintive oboe solo), but the Black Queen summons her Knights who carry the Red Queen off (return of the Knights' theme). The only piece who might save the King now is the Red Knight who (after a long pause held by timpani, cellos and basses) re-enters on stage.
«Checkmate - Royal Ballet 2007 10 o)The Duel The heroic Knight’s entrance is presented by the full orchestra. Red Knight and Black Queen circle round each other fighting. The Knight is torn between his love for the Queen and a duty to destroy her, and after a fierce duel, the Knight's greater strength and mobility prevails – he has the Black Queen helpless at his feet and at his mercy (return of the Black Queen's clarinet theme)… …but the sword slowly drops from the Knight’s hands, he turns his back to the Queen and kneels before the Red King confessing his inability to kill her. As he kneels, the music becomes more violent. The Queen rises, steals up behind him and plunges her sword into his back. The two players from the Prologue - Love and Death - reappear as all the pieces except the Black Queen gather round the dead Knight and raise him onto their shoulders, accompanied only by the cor-anglais cadenza of mourning. Death then leads the funeral procession with Love bringing up the rear. The Red King and the Black Queen are now left alone. 11 o)The Black Queen's Dance A sinister tango-like dance while the Red King looks on in terror for his life. The Queen mocks the old King's helplessness and leaves the stage with a gesture of savage triumph. 12 o)The Finale – Checkmate! The Red King is alone: a scurrying cello and bass pizzicato supporting a static woodwind line portrays his uneasiness and terror of what is to come. He moves forward slowly to escape but suddenly some Black pieces enter and force him back; he tries another sortie, but more Black pieces arrive to block his escape. The King prays then makes one last piteous attempt to escape but the stage is now flooded with Black pieces and the final, unstoppable onslaught begins. The exciting climax to the ballet is full of bite and driving energy: the Red King now stands on the steps of his throne surrounded by his enemies. As the moment of his death nears he has a vision of himself as a once-vigorous young ruler (heroic brass fanfares and pounding drums). The Black Queen enters for the dénouement: she plunges her sword into his back and lifts the crown from his head. The King falls dead amidst the enemy lances and swords – it is CHECKMATE!
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«Checkmate Arthur Bliss' "Ballet"»
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