Tchaikovsky: Selections from Nutcracker

EAC | APE + CUE | Covers | 308 Mb

Date CD: September 25, 2007 | Telarc | 73:02

As popular performers of classical music's greatest hits, it seems strange that Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops had not recorded Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker until 2007. The recording is subtitled "Favorite Selections," implying that it's more than just the suite (parts of which they have done on Tchaikovsky and ballet samplers), but less than the full ballet. Actually, all that's missing here is the "Grandfather's Dance" and the "Battle and Transformation" scene, which then begs the question of why not stretch the recording another 10 minutes to fit these in? Regardless, it really is a treat to hear more than just the suite since there are parts that are just as great as what's in the suite and are heard all too infrequently, such as the "Pas de deux Coda" and the "Final Waltz." The "Waltz of the Snowflakes" is another one of those, and here it's done with appropriate feathery lightness by the orchestra and the Cincinnati Children's Choir, which has excellent intonation, tone, and ensemble work. The waltz has its dramatic moments, but like all the dramatic moments in the score, Kunzel keeps it exciting and grand without being overly intense. The whole performance has a constancy and consistency of delivery that give the impression of childlike wonder and magic, but isn't at all too sugary. Similarly, the dancing momentum is maintained without being too athletic or too indulgent, as in the case of the "Arabian Dance." Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops have come through with a truly reliable and enjoyable performance of the Nutcracker, presented in Telarc's well-known deep sound quality.

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tracklist:


Act 1. Tableau 1. Scene 1. The Christmas Tree
Act 1. Tableau 1. Scene 2. March
Act 1. Tableau 1. Scene 3. Children's Galop and Arrival of the Guests
Act 1. Tableau 1. Scene 4. Pas de deux (Doll and Toy Soldier) Tempo di Valse
Act 1. Tableau 1. Scene 6. Magic Spell Begins
Act 1. Tableau 2. Scene 8. Scene in the Pine Forest (Journey through the Snow)
Act 1. Tableau 2. Scene 9. Waltz of the Snowflakes
Act 2. Scene 10. The Magic Castle
Act 2. Scene 11. Clara and the Prince
Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Chocolate: Spanish Dance
Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Coffee: Arabian Dance
Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Tea: Chinese Dance
Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Trepak: Russian Dance
Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Dance of the Mirlitons
Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Mother Gigone and Her Little Clowns
Act 2. Scene 13. Waltz of the Flowers
Act 2. Scene 14. Pas de deux. Dance of the Prince and the Sugar-Plum Fairy
Act 2. Scene 14. Pas de deux. Variation 1. Tarantella
Act 2. Scene 14. Pas de deux. Variation 2. Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy
Act 2. Scene 14. Pas de deux. Coda
Act 2. Scene 15. Final Waltz and Apotheosis

It was given its première at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on Sunday, 18 December 1892, on a double-bill with Tchaikovsky's opera, Iolanta.