Customer Reviews

Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker (Favorite Excerpts from the Original Soundtrack Recording)

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

 

 

I asked for this particular recording on cassette after watching the Pacific Northwest Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker" on television many years ago. Since then, I have heard many different renditions of Tchaikovsky's score, but none compare to this recording. Mackerras and the London Symphony work together in such a way that the ballet comes alive in one's imagination; the tempo is perfect, and the drama is evident.

This CD of excerpts is good for someone unfamiliar with the ballet -- it gives all the highlights. It's also great for someone unfamiliar with the works of Tchaikovsky, for I find it's very representative of his work (and I think it's his best overall).

This CD is now part of my family's tradition -- played while we decorate the tree and during Christmas Eve dinner. In fact, I'm buying another copy for my Mom, since the cassettes have seen better days! This is easy to integrate into your holiday music collection, and is guaranteed to put you into a festive holiday mood.

Sir Charles Mackerras has done the world of classical music a big, big favor. I do not have the complete version of this ballet, but I can recommend it based on what is excerpted on this terrific recording. Right from the start, Mackerras shows not only that he cares, but that he gets it. This work calls for light, rapid, and sonorous playing from all instrumental groups to capture the Christmassy, miniature feel of the work. The listener is even treated to a rifle shot and cannon blasts during "The Battle Between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King." You can't go wrong with picking this one up instead of another recording.

great music i asked for this cd because it had the dance of the sugarplum dance song

I called every classical music vendor in town and after spending nearly an hour on the phone I decided to visit Amazon.

Much to our delight you can purchase the entire album with one click and it downloaded right into my Itunes.

Impressive

This would have been a great CD of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, however the actual volume of all the pieces are so LOW! You have to have the volume on your stereo way up just to hear it at an audible level. Disappointed in this CD only because of the volume factor.