Two Suites in One
Walter P. Sheppard | Arlington, VA United States | 11/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kunzel and his crack orchestra have combined the ubiquitous first suite Tchaikovsky drew from his ballet masterpiece and added the little-known second suite plus a couple more sections. The only previous recording of the second suite that I know of was also done by a Pops orchestra -- the Boston Pops under Arthur Fiedler on a pre-LP set of 78's. The same forces also did a similar combining of the two suites for an LP that was never transferred to CD. In any event, if you want the best music from "The Nutcracker," this is the CD for you. Some will want the whole ballet (which runs about 20 minutes longer than this), and I recommend Andre Previn's recording, but everyone else can revel in this one that I recommend wholeheartedly."
"The Nutcracker ... Kunzel & Cincinnati Pops ... Telarc Reco
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 11/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Telarc Records presents "TCHAIKOVSKY: NUTCRACKER - FAVORITE SELECTIONS" --- Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops deliver an impeccable and enjoyable performance --- It captures the very essence of the childlike wonder and magic of the holiday season.
The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra is a pops orchestra based in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, founded in 1977 --- Erich Kunzel, celebrating his 30th season with the orchestra in 2005-2006, continues to lead the Pops today.
It was Maestro Max Rudolf who, in 1965, invited Erich Kunzel, then a young conductor on the faculty of Brown University, to join the Cincinnati Symphony --- That October the Dartmouth graduate, who had been personal assistant to the great French conductor Pierre Monteux, conducted his first sold-out 8 O'Clock Pops concert --- From this orchestra eventually sprang the Cincinnati Pops --- It was the beginning of a modern orchestral legend and, 30 years later, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra under its first and only conductor is still performing for packed houses in Cincinnati's Music Hall and gaining new fans the world over through tour performances and its recordings on the Telarc label.
Kunzel and the CPO made history by becoming the first American pops orchestra to perform in China in October, 2005 --- In 2006, Kunzel was awarded the National Medal of Arts. --- (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker - Favorite Selections (Track Listings)
1. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Overture [3:16]
2. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 1. Tableau 1. Scene 1. The Christmas Tree [3:48]
3. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 1. Tableau 1. Scene 2. March [2:40]
4. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 1. Tableau 1. Scene 3. Children's Galop and Ar [2:29]
5. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 1. Tableau 1. Scene 4. Pas de deux (Doll and T) [2:24]
6. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 1. Tableau 1. Scene 6. Magic Spell Begins [6:17]
7. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 1. Tableau 2. Scene 8. Scene in the Pine Fores [3:21]
8. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 1. Tableau 2. Scene 9. Waltz of the Snowflakes [6:40]
Performed by Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Conservatory Children's Choir and Robyn Lana
9. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 10. The Magic Castle [4:03]
10. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 11. Clara and the Prince [4:57]
11. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Chocolate: Spani [1:18]
12. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Coffee: Arabian [2:39]
13. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Tea: Chinese Dan [1:05]
14. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Trepak: Russian [1:14]
15. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Dance of the Mir [2:23]
16. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 12. Divertissement. Mother Gigone an [2:50]
17. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 13. Waltz of the Flowers [7:12]
18. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 14. Pas de deux. Dance of the Prince [4:33]
19. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 14. Pas de deux. Variation 1. Tarante [0:47]
20. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 14. Pas de deux. Variation 2. Dance o [2:11]
Performed by Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Julie Spangler
21. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 14. Pas de deux. Coda [1:27]
22. Nutcracker, ballet, Op. 71: Act 2. Scene 15. Final Waltz and Apotheosis [5:28]
Hats off to Telarc Records --- strongly recommend this CD to all music lovers and all others who need to hear some great holiday music --- Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Erich Kunzel (conductor) please stand up and take a bow for this well deserved rare gem you've given us --- this is a keeper!
Total Time: 68 mins on 22 Tracks ~ Telarc Records ~ (9/25/2007)"
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1
