Best Nutcracker?

[jung]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif It remains one of the very best full Nutcracker versions, Phillips has remastered CD version now as part of the Phillips 50 Greatest series with orchestral suites 3 & 4 as bonus. The previous Phillips Duo version had different bonus with Sleeping Beauty excerpts by Anatole Fistoulari.

Which is better?

allmusic [Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Complete); The Sleeping Beauty (Highlights)]
allmusic [Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, Op. 71 / Suites for Orchestra Nos. 3 and 4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also as mentioned earlier here the is the earlier 1962 Dorati/LSO/Mercury complete Nutcracker which is taken at a slightly faster tempo overall, I have both and slightly prefer the older Mercury but either one is a great choice.

These?

allmusic [Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Complete Ballet); Serenade for Strings]
allmusic [Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, Op. 71 (Complete Ballet) [Hybrid SACD]]

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jung /img/forum/go_quote.gif Which is better? allmusic [Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Complete); The Sleeping Beauty (Highlights)] allmusic [Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, Op. 71 / Suites for Orchestra Nos. 3 and 4] These? allmusic [Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Complete Ballet); Serenade for Strings] allmusic [Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, Op. 71 (Complete Ballet) [Hybrid SACD]]

Both of those Dorati/Phillips are the same Nutcracker performance, the remastered Phillips 50 greatest should be slightly better sound. I have Phillips Duo version with Sleeping Beauty highlights, sound is very good and I never bothered to get the remastered release.

Yes that is the older Dorati/LSO/Mercury performance available as either CD or SACD format, slightly faster tempos than the Phillips which I prefer but either one is a winner.

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also the mailman was kind enough to deliver the Rodzinski/Westminster Nutcracker set today

Before this thread quickly dies away (unfortunately) I will report on the stereo Rodzinski Nutcracker from 1956.......I believe MB said this was one of the very first complete Nutcrackers recorded. It has been remastered by DG using thier original image bit process (like the DG Original releases) and sound holds up very well comapared to even modern versions.

The performance is a lively up tempo one, but where Rodzinski scores over conductors like Gergiev is in his deeper more nuanced sound, beautiful tonal colors that breath life and excitement into the music making it emotional and animated without resorting to a rushed mechanical more superficial approach.
Rythms are nicely sprung and naturally accentuated to make this a delightful experience, many subtle details are revealed that are often glossed over in other versions......a very welcome addition to my collection!

There is also a Tchaikovsky 4th included as bonus, but I was not super impressed with the performance compared to my many other versions, very competitive field for this work. Also I have the 2CD Rodzinski/Westminster 5,6 Tchaikovsky + Dvorak 9th already and think he does better comparatively in these works.

 

[DarkAngel]

I also want to mention my two favorite Nutcracker highlight CDs:

Reiner/CSO/RCA
Bernstein/NYPO/Sony

 

[Kevin Sinnott]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif I also want to mention my two favorite Nutcracker highlight CDs: Reiner/CSO/RCA Bernstein/NYPO/Sony

The Reiner doesn't surprise me. The Bernstein does. I will have to find it. Thanks, DA.

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Sinnott /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Reiner doesn't surprise me. The Bernstein does. I will have to find it. Thanks, DA.

Yes a bit surprising, I am not aware of any complete Tchaikovsky ballet by Bernstein but I do have his complete Tchaikovsky symphony set with NYPO/Sony and find it very inspiring.......don't like his much slower DG symphonies made in the 1980's which critics seem to favor.

I rechecked my Nutcraker highlight Cds (10+ CDs) over the holiday and the Reiner and Bernstein rose to the top for me

 

[pmartel]

My absolute favourite is the Dorati/Concertgebow on Philips as some of you have mentioned. I strongly recommend that if you can find a clean lp original go for that. That was absolutely stunning. Dorati's performance is among the best. The Pas de Deux & Transformation scene are to my ears the best

 

[mark!]

My personal pick, a beautiful reading of the work. Recorded for the 1982 film of the Pacific Northwest Ballet's presentation. Mackerras just nails it , perfect tempo throughout