Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra – Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker – Favorite Selections (2007/2023) [FLAC 24bit/192kHz]

Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra – Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker – Favorite Selections (2007/2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:13:07 minutes | 3,65 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Craft Recordings

Tchaikovsky’s perennial holiday favorite- a sparkling recording of all the best-loved highlights from the ballet.

He’s back…the well known “Prince of Pops” records highlights from Tchaikovsky’s most famous work, the Nutcracker. Highlights include the Overture, The Christmas Tree, Children’s Gallop & Arrival of Guests, Waltz of the Flowers, among many others.As popular performers of classical music’s greatest hits, it seems strange that Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops had not recorded Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker until 2007. The recording is subtitled “Favorite Selections,” implying that it’s more than just the suite (parts of which they have done on Tchaikovsky and ballet samplers), but less than the full ballet. Actually, all that’s missing here is the “Grandfather’s Dance” and the “Battle and Transformation” scene, which then begs the question of why not stretch the recording another 10 minutes to fit these in? Regardless, it really is a treat to hear more than just the suite since there are parts that are just as great as what’s in the suite and are heard all too infrequently, such as the “Pas de deux Coda” and the “Final Waltz.” The “Waltz of the Snowflakes” is another one of those, and here it’s done with appropriate feathery lightness by the orchestra and the Cincinnati Children’s Choir, which has excellent intonation, tone, and ensemble work. The waltz has its dramatic moments, but like all the dramatic moments in the score, Kunzel keeps it exciting and grand without being overly intense. The whole performance has a constancy and consistency of delivery that give the impression of childlike wonder and magic, but isn’t at all too sugary. Similarly, the dancing momentum is maintained without being too athletic or too indulgent, as in the case of the “Arabian Dance.” Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops have come through with a truly reliable and enjoyable performance of the Nutcracker, presented in Telarc’s well-known deep sound quality.

Tracklist:

1-01. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Overture: Allegro Giusto (03:17)
1-02. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Nutcracker: Scene 1: The Christmas Tree (03:48)
1-03. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act I: No. 2 March: Tempo Di Marcia Viva (02:40)
1-04. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act I: No. 3 “Children’s Gallop And Entrance Of The Parents”: Presto – Andante – Allegro (02:29)
1-05. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act I: No. 4 Scene Dansante “Doll And Toy Soldier”: Tempo Di Valse (02:24)
1-06. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act I: No. 6 Scene: “Departure Of The Guests And Magic Spell Begins”: Allegro Semplice (06:17)
1-07. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act I: No. 8 Scene: “A Pine Forest In Winter”: Allegro Vivo (03:21)
1-08. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act I: No. 9 “Waltz Of The Snowflakes”: Tempo Di Valse – Ma Con Moto – Presto (06:39)
1-09. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No. 10 Scene: “The Magic Castle In The Land Of Sweets”: Andante (04:03)
1-10. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No. 11 Scene: “Clara And Nutcracker Prince”: Andante Con Moto (04:56)
1-11. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No 12a “Chocolate (Spanish Dance)”: Allegro Brillante (01:18)
1-12. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No 12b “Coffee (Arabian Dance)”: Comodo (02:39)
1-13. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No 12c “Tea (Chinese Dance)”: Allegro Moderato (01:05)
1-14. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No 12d “Candy Canes (Russian Dance)”: Tempo Di Trepak – Molto Vivace (01:13)
1-15. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No 12e Pastorale: “Dance Of The Reed Flutes”: Andantino (02:23)
1-16. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No 12f “Mother Ginger And Her Little Clowns”: Allegro Giocoso – Andante – Allegro Vivo (02:50)
1-17. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No. 13 “Waltz Of The Flowers”: Tempo Di Valse; No. 14 Pas de Deux (07:11)
1-18. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No. 14a “The Sugar Plum Fairy And The Prince”: Andante Maestoso (04:32)
1-19. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No. 14b Variation I: Pour Le Danseur – “Tarantella”: Tempo Di Tarantella (00:47)
1-20. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No. 14c Variation II: Pour Le Danseuse – “Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy”: Andante Ma Non Troppo – Presto (02:11)
1-21. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No. 14d Coda: Vivace Assai (01:27)
1-22. Erich Kunzel – The Nutcracker, Ballet Op. 71: Act II: No. 15 “Final Waltz And Apotheosis”: Tempo Di Valse – Molto Meno (05:27)

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