What instrument was invented around the time Tchaikovsky was composing "The Nutcracker"?

The correct answer is B, the Celesta, because it was invented in the late 19th century, around the time Tchaikovsky was composing "The Nutcracker" in 1891. The Celesta, created by the French instrument maker Auguste Mustel in 1886, is a unique instrument that produces a sound resembling that of a glockenspiel but with a softer, more ethereal tone. Tchaikovsky famously used the Celesta in "The Nutcracker," particularly in the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," which added a magical quality to the music.

While the piano, violin, and flute are all instruments that have been around for several centuries by Tchaikovsky's time, they did not originate during that same period, making them less relevant as answers to the question. The piano, for example, had been widely used since the early 18th century; the violin has roots tracing back to the 16th century; and the flute has even earlier origins. Therefore, the Celesta stands out as the correct choice, as it directly connects to the same era of Tchaikovsky’s compositions.