Tchaikovsky: The Ballets (Swan Lake / The Sleeping Beauty / The Nutcraker) [Box set]

André Previn (Artist, Conductor), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Conductor), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: André Previn, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (August 5, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 6
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000026D4M
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,127 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

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Editorial Reviews

Andre Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra perform three of the greatest ballets ever composed: Swan Lake; Sleeping Beauty , and The Nutcracker. From EMI-Angel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Decent Performances, flawed packaging..., February 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: The Ballets (Swan Lake / The Sleeping Beauty / The Nutcraker) (Audio CD)

These are good performances of each of these great ballets. The performances could, however, be a bit more vibrant.

What really ruins this box set is the packaging. EMI bureaucrats decided that rather than running Sleeping Beauty over to a third disc (disc five, by the way, which plays for forty minutes) that they would cut two movements from this great ballet. Presumably these bureaucrats would also cut Joyce's Ulysses in order to bring the book in at the primo manuscript page length in order to keep costs down. Personally, I prefer to hear what the composer wrote in full, rather than what some bureaucrat or some conductor thinks is preferable cost wise or aesthetically.

Once again, boos and hisses to EMI who continually are doing such things (see my review of their Lehar, Merry Widow reissue).

33 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Price, October 13, 2000

By 

Rudy Avila (Lennox, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: The Ballets (Swan Lake / The Sleeping Beauty / The Nutcraker) (Audio CD)

If you are looking for the three ballets Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Nutcraker in a single set, this is the best one out there. DO NOT repeat DO NOT buy Herbert Von Karajan's 60's recording with the Weiner Philharmonic under the cd label of Decca "Legends". That is the worst one. It has excerpts from the ballets rearranged for concert suites. This cd is far superior in that it has the entire ballets in 3 disks. Andre Previn is a marvelous conductor and the London Philharmonic is known the world over. The music of Tchaikovsky comes alive in a colorful and expressive fashion, although not as masterfully rendered as any of the ballets conducted under the baton of Antal Dorati. If you are looking for an individual recording of the Sleeping Beauty or the other ballets(full score in addition to divertissements and variations) get the recordings with Dorati conducting. But the music to these ballets are excellent. You wil love the Swan Lake's powerful main theme, the spell-casting music of the Sleeping Beauty (from the Introduction to the Apotheose) and the festive and lyric Nutcraker. This is the best ballets ever made and by the genius of the man known as Peter I. Tchaikovsky. Viva Tchaikovsky !

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent set, August 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: The Ballets (Swan Lake / The Sleeping Beauty / The Nutcraker) (Audio CD)

What a wonderful set! I am a fan of Tchaikovsky, particularly of the Nutcracker. This set contains all of the music, not just highlights, from these three ballets. But just as importantly, the sound quality is wonderful -- the music is very well performed. I've seen all three of these ballets performed at Lincoln Center, and am impressed by these CDs. The liner notes are quite informative as well.