 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-11-28 03:37
Now that the Christmas season is officially beginning, I need a good Nutcracker recording -- I need an upgrade from my old Laserlight cheapie.
Anybody have suggestions for a well-respected recording? It doesn't need the entire ballet, just the regular Nutcracker chestnuts (no pun intended... well maybe it was...).
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-11-28 14:00
Hmm....don't know just what you mean by a good recording. I have, surprisingly, found some Laserlight recordings to be quite acceptable. My personal preferences for Nutcracker are by Russian orchestras....Bolshoi included.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2003-11-28 21:55
At our house, we listen to the version with Shari Lewis and Lambchop.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: RM
Date: 2003-11-28 22:45
The Cleveland Orchestra and Maazel have a very good recording, from the 70s.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-11-29 02:05
I love the Boston/Ozawa recording, but a big part of that is because Harold Wright sounds incredible (as always)
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Author: ALOMARvelous12
Date: 2003-11-29 21:55
My disc has Zubin Mehta with the Isreal Philharmonic in 1979 under Decca Records. This should do especially if you like the "light" type of sound instead of the "dramatic" type of sound that many of the other world renowned orchestras are known for, such as the chicago symphony and the berlin philharmonic. However, I'm not sure if this record is still available, but it's worth a listen and also contains Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-11-30 21:02
I'm afraid I'm with BobD on this one ... no offence to any American orchestras - but my first choice is Russian, Kirov or Bolshoi.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-12-02 02:35
Many thanks to all for the suggestions. Will try to dig up the Reiner and one of the Russian versions.
I snagged a couple of free tickets to the local concert ballet's Nutcracker performance this weekend. I've never actually seen the ballet. Unfortunately, it's to recorded music.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-12-02 02:55
Nutcrackers - as a ballet is rather silly - not a heck of a lot of story
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Author: pkp
Date: 2003-12-02 19:18
diz,
i suspect your last was written with tongue-in-cheek, but you did inspire me to respond.
all ballets are rather silly and none have a heck of a lot of story. (this the opinion of one who has had season tickets to the ballet at the orange county performing arts center for more than 10 years. i saw the kirov about a month ago dancing to the music of stravinsky. i have also seen the nutcracker at least three times.)
the point of ballet (imho) is the creation of amazing beauty resulting from the incredible coordinated movements of a highly trained group of dancers, set to the music of some of the worlds greatest composers, and performed by outstanding musicians. to see and hear about 100 perfomers perfectly coordinated creating this experience for the audience is thrilling.
sadly, this live performing art - like so many others - is threatened by the enormous expense of production.
i sincerely hope that ralph g attends and thoroghly enjoys the ballet despite its silliness and lack of story.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-12-02 20:57
pkp - I've not had the privelige of seeing the Kirov or Bolshoi company's dance live, but fortunately the Australian Ballet is one of the best in the world and I am a devoted fan. Afterall, one can just sit back, close ones eyes and get a 2 hour orchestral concert - I espeically love Sleeping Beauty ... Stravinsky owned a score of this and learned a lot about orchestration and colouring from its example.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-12-02 22:59
I had the experience of watching a live ballet performed to recorded music once.
I will never do it again. It's a totally different experience than watching a tv or video performance. Still, I enjoy "The Red Shoes" which isn't even a "real" ballet. Puck: "What fools we mortals be".
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