Customer Reviews

The Nutcracker (1993 Motion Picture Soundtrack)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although one might dismiss this for being a soundtrack from video/movie presentation of The Nutcracker, it suffers not a bit in comparison with studio recordings of the ballet.

The NYC Ballet Orchestra has been playing this score for decades and their mastery of it under Zinman's baton is evident throughout. This is simply gorgeously played and rivals any other Nutcacker played by world class orchestras.

A benefit to the proceedings is the fact that Zinman is conducting an actual balletic performance and his zippy tempi add just the right amount of panache. It is a very transparent reading and makes Tchaikovsky's delicious orchestrations sound like a shiny new car! The dancer's tempi doesn't mean that there is a lack of "symphonic" presence. The recording engineers have done a beautiful job in capturing the majesty of the performance as well.

Only down side is there are a few cuts to fit the music on one CD. (Nutcracker is a bit longer than 80 minutes). The performance is so good, you can forgive the cuts. For those who must have the ballet note complete, pick this one up anyway. Musically it's well worth it.

This is my favorite holiday CD because it just doesn't have a few songs from the ballet. This CD is the whole ballet! I can actually imagine that I am there watching it! This is a must have for your holiday collection!

Like the other reviewers, I was caught up in the infectious high spirits of this one-disc Nutcracker. It goes head to head with Gergiev's one-disc version on Philips. Zinman, like his counterpart with the Kirov, gets the New York City Ballet orchestra to move along, but where Gergiev feels impatient to me, Zinman feels exciting. As far as sonority goes, this isn't symphonic -- you're aware of listening to a somewhat spare pit orchestra. Plushness is traded off for agility, which is a good bargain. The sound, as often happens with movie soundtracks, is close-focused, detailed and bright, adding to the excitment.

As a non-fan of Zinman's, in the end I was surprised by how thoroughly enjoyable his reading is, and for such a habitually cool conductor, he is often warm here--listen to the ravishing Adagio Pas De deux at the end. I got much less pleasure from Svetlanov (Melodiya-RCA and Vedernikov (Penta Tone) despite their Russian credentials.

Since I grew up wacthing " The Nutcracker " every year, I have always wanted the music. When I came across it online, I had to get it. The music is the same as I remembered it, and those of you who haven't bought it yet, this one takes the cake. LOVE,LOVE,LOVE, this CD.

I heard other orchestras playing the nutcracker before and I loved this one so much that I had to buy it for my ballet class and eventually for choreographing. My little ballerinas love it as well, they go wild and start dancing around the room. I totally recommend this CD.

Love this soundtrack. It was exactly what I was looking for...not too long, great sound quality, just like being at the show. Listened to it while pregnant and my son just loves music. Can't wait to take him this December.

I REALLY, REALLY ENJOYED THIS BALLET CLASSIC.
I REALLY ENJOYED THE DANCE OF THE CANDY CANES.
I LOOOOKED AND LOOOOKED AT EVERY WEB SITE AND THIS WAS THE CD I WAS LOOKING 4.
THANX AMAZON FOR FILLING MY NEW BALLET PLAY [ WILL BE IN DECEMBER...].
THANK YOU

I REALLY, REALLY ENJOYED THIS BALLET CLASSIC.
I REALLY ENJOYED THE DANCE OF THE CANDY CANES.
I LOOOOKED AND LOOOOKED AT EVERY WEB SITE AND THIS WAS THE CD I WAS LOOKING 4.
THANX AMAZON FOR FILLING MY NEW BALLET PLAY...