Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Complete); Swan Lake Suite
Product Details
Customer Reviews
Excellent, Much Underrated Recording of "The Nutcracker"
As the last of Tchaikovsky's ballets, "The Nutcracker" features some of the most interesting harmonic and rhythmic textures of the Romantic era. It's a popular subject for recording. At present, we have versions by Valery Gergiev, Charles Mackerras, Antal Dorati, Eugene Ormandy, Andre Previn, Richard Bonynge, and many others. All are fine in their own right, but the best recordings of the ballet tend to be among the most overlooked: Neeme Jarvi's excellent (but sadly out-of-print) recording with the Scottish National Orchestra, Arthur Rodzinski's quirky take with the Royal Philharmonic, and John Lanchbery's theatrically insightful version with the Philharmonia Orchestra. Perhaps the most underrated recording of "Nutcracker" is this 1961 account from Greek-born, Swiss-American Jewish conductor Maurice Abravanel with the Utah Symphony Orchestra. Yes, you read correctly: the Utah Symphony Orchestra.
Despite the lack of name recognition of the orchestra, this "Nutcracker" is exemplary: clear, warm and brimming with energy. The Utah musicians produce a beautiful sound that works delightfully on a dramatic level. The first time I heard this recording, I was completely blown away. It is so free of pretense, it feels like one is hearing this music for the first time.
Abravanel's tempi choices are perhaps the most judicious and insightful I've heard: nothing sounds forced and everything is imbued with excitement and drive. It is clear from the start that this man understands this music. At times, his choices may lean on the fast side, but nowhere near the rapidfire pace of Gergiev or Dorati (whose three recordings are spoiled for me by almost flippantly delirious tempi). In fact, everything feels refreshingly grounded without ever becoming heavy-handed (which has been my problem with Previn's recording). The "Journey through the Pine Forest" has a sense of momentum without being jarring and overstated. The popular "Russian Dance" is given a performance as raucous and red-blooded as anything the Bolshoi or Kirov has ever managed. The famous "Waltz of the Flowers" is handled sensitively, becoming a breathing and moving piece, and the final "Pas de Deux" is given a lilting, romantic performance that still manages to shift tempos subtly.
The most interesting part of the recording is actually a piece I tend to skip over on most recordings: the "Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy" can often be boring and uninspired. Here, the celeste takes on an interesting glittery, toy-like quality that has character and charm. I haven't heard anything like it on any other recording. This is bound to be what entranced Tchaikovsky enough to have the instrument imported from France for the very first performance.
The sound quality is excellent, especialy considering this is a forty year-old analog recording. From the first few bars of the "Miniature Overture" I was struck by how vivid the sound actually was. For some reason, digital recording can sometimes lack the natural warmth and depth of analog. There is no such problem here. The sound is rich and living. Vanguard has done a wonderful job restoring this much neglected recording. Hopefully, this review will help bring Abravanel and company some much needed attention. (Also recommended is a 1967 recording of "Swan Lake" from the same group, a suite from which is included as a bonus here.)
Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น