The very best, 13 Dec 2008
It's hard to get excited about this music, most of it played to death on Classic FM. However, the quality of the performances and the recordings are so exemplary I could enjoy these all over again.

Buy these even if you have the music already. You really owe your collection this CD.

Detail you just dont hear elsewhere!, 11 Oct 2007
One might have thought that the Ballet suites have been recorded too many times, for anyone to get excited about 'another' recording! In truth these are fabulous performances, with inner detail that I have to say I haven't heard in any other recordings! At an incredibly low price, I urge anyone thinking of buying a recording of the suites to look no further.
A superb cellist and wonderful conductor, golly how we will miss him!

Outstanding Tchaikovsky disc, 23 Oct 2003
Outstanding versions of Tchaikovsky’s three popular ballet suites. The Berlin Philharmonic is in glowing form and Mstislav Rostropovich on the rostrum sounds inspired as none else. Warmly and dynamically recorded, with plenty of orchestral detail, this thrilling disc may stand as a criterion from the analogue era.
If you only need the suites, or if you think this music no longer holds any surprises for you, this is the CD to go for. Highly recommended.

The very best, 13 Dec 2008
It's hard to get excited about this music, most of it played to death on Classic FM. However, the quality of the performances and the recordings are so exemplary I could enjoy these all over again.

Buy these even if you have the music already. You really owe your collection this CD.

Detail you just dont hear elsewhere!, 11 Oct 2007
One might have thought that the Ballet suites have been recorded too many times, for anyone to get excited about 'another' recording! In truth these are fabulous performances, with inner detail that I have to say I haven't heard in any other recordings! At an incredibly low price, I urge anyone thinking of buying a recording of the suites to look no further.
A superb cellist and wonderful conductor, golly how we will miss him!

Outstanding Tchaikovsky disc, 23 Oct 2003
Outstanding versions of Tchaikovsky’s three popular ballet suites. The Berlin Philharmonic is in glowing form and Mstislav Rostropovich on the rostrum sounds inspired as none else. Warmly and dynamically recorded, with plenty of orchestral detail, this thrilling disc may stand as a criterion from the analogue era.
If you only need the suites, or if you think this music no longer holds any surprises for you, this is the CD to go for. Highly recommended.

Gergiev's complete Nutcracker is tops, 17 Jun 2007
Of all the recordings by Gergiev I own, I feel more than ready to consider this among his more pleasing efforts. Gergiev brings a new perspective to this well-worn Tchaiokvsy chestnut, such that it is given a more robust performance than typically given during the myriad of Christmas ballet productions. From the lightness of the overture to the weighty grandeur of the finale, Gergiev ably fleshes out the contrasting moods in the score. Adopting generally brisk speeds, he adopts continuity yet still churns out a magical performance for one to revel in the many felicities of the score. Now, these brisk seeds are not as rushed as many people might think, but they really make the ballet lilt and trip along without sounding clunky like most other recordings of the work. The dramatic mood is suitably conveyed in the transformation scene, and the many famous dances in the Suite are given crisp, robust readings. The two Pas de deux scenes and the various Waltzes convey a stately grandeur, especially during the Waltz of the Flowers. Yet there is also a delicacy in the Sugarplum Fairy's Dance, the Arabian Dance and the Dance of the Reed Pipes. Throughout Gergiev elicits a robust sound from the Kirov Orchestra, with a fine balance between the sections, except perhaps for the wobbly Russian brass. The Philips recording is superb, one of their best recent recordings, sumptuous yet clean and well-detailed. An added bonus is the fact that this Nutcracker only takes up one CD rather than two. Highly highly recommended, especially since this fresh and robust rendition seems destined to put other Nutcrackers to shame. Don't let the bad reviews discourage you - this is a crackling, energetic Nutcracker that really lends a new lease of life to this overplayed ballet.

well...it's no where near as good as the u.s. marine band..., 02 Jun 2006
I've only just graduated from high school where I played in the school's symphonic winds band. But there are things that I learned that this group should have taken heed to. Although they play with amazing speed and alacrity, sometimes a fast tempo just isn't that impressive. Especially if the piece is supposed to be admired for other more aesthetical aspects. The ensemble, don't get me wrong, is filled with very talented players. However, this recording, where there's enthusiasm, there's also a lack of musicality. I'll just focus on the one part "Presents of the Drosselmeyer". This movement is my favorite (on the London Philharmonic Orchestra recording), but I was highly disappointed when I heard it on this CD. The tone was too fanfare-ish...too much trumpet. The tempo was way way way too fast. And because of the too-fast tempo, the bassoon solo at the end of the song (playing the same melody that the upper strings and woodwinds play at the beginning) is not enjoyable. The overall tone of the group could have been improved by...well...more bottom (bass, tuba, etc), less top (trumpet...). Tempo? Well, that's all up to the artistic interpretation of the conductor...which in this case was very wrong.
I'm glad that I borrowed this CD instead of actually buying it.

Slow Down!, 13 Jan 2006
This is too fast. I wonder whether any of it was artificially speeded up to fit it on one CD. With digital technology a piece can be speeded up with no change of pitch. To me, the attack and decay of the notes sometimes sounds unnatural. Maybe I'm mistaken, but if the attack/decay is sometimes accelerated this would confirm the presence of technological tinkering. I'm sure this Orchestra can play fast, but to me the effect is comic and a bit disturbing, even if part of me can appreciate the technical feat. Really this music is better enjoyed at more humane and indulged tempos. And I really don't believe they play it this fast for real performances, it is totally undanceable.

Two into One won't go...., 02 Feb 2005
Firstly the strengths ....the recorded sound is excellent and the music is played with energy, brilliance and musicality. But there's no way that you could dance to this...unless you're a whirling dervish...yet Tchaikovsky composed/fashioned the music with that in mind. I had heard a couple of excerpts from the disc before I went ahead and bought it and I'd hoped the faster tempi wouldn't matter ...but it does... the score is whizzed-through like a shot out of a gun. I can imagine all the whittling-down, second by second that must've gone on behind the scenes in the recording studio, to get the ballet squashed onto one disc. There's hardly a pause in the relentless progress of the music from one track to the next & from the beginning to the end of the disc....and this affects the 'integrity' of the music as a result. 'Pauses' matter.
If you're new to this music & haven't seen the music danced-to, then maybe this all won't matter so much but if you've been touched by Tchaikovsky's magical score where there was time to reflect and enjoy the unfolding pagaent of melody within a dance scenario, then my recommendation is to buy a different interpretation.

Superb, 24 Apr 2003
I was a little apprehensive about buying this CD, as you can buy a boxed set of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty for not a great deal more. However, as I already owned the Seiji Ozawa performance of Swan Lake (another excellent CD), I decided to continue to buy them separately.

I could not have made a better choice.

This CD is, in a word, superb. It is the whole ballet, rather than the extracts found on many other CDs. Although I am not a particular conneseur of clasical music, to me this performance is full of energy and excitement, and I could not possibly fault it. The sound quality is exceptional - perfectly reproduced with no hissing, clicks or buzzes.

This is an essential purchase for anybody who enjoys Tchikovsky's ballets, if not every classical music fan.

The very best, 13 Dec 2008
It's hard to get excited about this music, most of it played to death on Classic FM. However, the quality of the performances and the recordings are so exemplary I could enjoy these all over again.

Buy these even if you have the music already. You really owe your collection this CD.

Detail you just dont hear elsewhere!, 11 Oct 2007
One might have thought that the Ballet suites have been recorded too many times, for anyone to get excited about 'another' recording! In truth these are fabulous performances, with inner detail that I have to say I haven't heard in any other recordings! At an incredibly low price, I urge anyone thinking of buying a recording of the suites to look no further.
A superb cellist and wonderful conductor, golly how we will miss him!

Outstanding Tchaikovsky disc, 23 Oct 2003
Outstanding versions of Tchaikovsky’s three popular ballet suites. The Berlin Philharmonic is in glowing form and Mstislav Rostropovich on the rostrum sounds inspired as none else. Warmly and dynamically recorded, with plenty of orchestral detail, this thrilling disc may stand as a criterion from the analogue era.
If you only need the suites, or if you think this music no longer holds any surprises for you, this is the CD to go for. Highly recommended.

Gergiev's complete Nutcracker is tops, 17 Jun 2007
Of all the recordings by Gergiev I own, I feel more than ready to consider this among his more pleasing efforts. Gergiev brings a new perspective to this well-worn Tchaiokvsy chestnut, such that it is given a more robust performance than typically given during the myriad of Christmas ballet productions. From the lightness of the overture to the weighty grandeur of the finale, Gergiev ably fleshes out the contrasting moods in the score. Adopting generally brisk speeds, he adopts continuity yet still churns out a magical performance for one to revel in the many felicities of the score. Now, these brisk seeds are not as rushed as many people might think, but they really make the ballet lilt and trip along without sounding clunky like most other recordings of the work. The dramatic mood is suitably conveyed in the transformation scene, and the many famous dances in the Suite are given crisp, robust readings. The two Pas de deux scenes and the various Waltzes convey a stately grandeur, especially during the Waltz of the Flowers. Yet there is also a delicacy in the Sugarplum Fairy's Dance, the Arabian Dance and the Dance of the Reed Pipes. Throughout Gergiev elicits a robust sound from the Kirov Orchestra, with a fine balance between the sections, except perhaps for the wobbly Russian brass. The Philips recording is superb, one of their best recent recordings, sumptuous yet clean and well-detailed. An added bonus is the fact that this Nutcracker only takes up one CD rather than two. Highly highly recommended, especially since this fresh and robust rendition seems destined to put other Nutcrackers to shame. Don't let the bad reviews discourage you - this is a crackling, energetic Nutcracker that really lends a new lease of life to this overplayed ballet.

well...it's no where near as good as the u.s. marine band..., 02 Jun 2006
I've only just graduated from high school where I played in the school's symphonic winds band. But there are things that I learned that this group should have taken heed to. Although they play with amazing speed and alacrity, sometimes a fast tempo just isn't that impressive. Especially if the piece is supposed to be admired for other more aesthetical aspects. The ensemble, don't get me wrong, is filled with very talented players. However, this recording, where there's enthusiasm, there's also a lack of musicality. I'll just focus on the one part "Presents of the Drosselmeyer". This movement is my favorite (on the London Philharmonic Orchestra recording), but I was highly disappointed when I heard it on this CD. The tone was too fanfare-ish...too much trumpet. The tempo was way way way too fast. And because of the too-fast tempo, the bassoon solo at the end of the song (playing the same melody that the upper strings and woodwinds play at the beginning) is not enjoyable. The overall tone of the group could have been improved by...well...more bottom (bass, tuba, etc), less top (trumpet...). Tempo? Well, that's all up to the artistic interpretation of the conductor...which in this case was very wrong.
I'm glad that I borrowed this CD instead of actually buying it.

Slow Down!, 13 Jan 2006
This is too fast. I wonder whether any of it was artificially speeded up to fit it on one CD. With digital technology a piece can be speeded up with no change of pitch. To me, the attack and decay of the notes sometimes sounds unnatural. Maybe I'm mistaken, but if the attack/decay is sometimes accelerated this would confirm the presence of technological tinkering. I'm sure this Orchestra can play fast, but to me the effect is comic and a bit disturbing, even if part of me can appreciate the technical feat. Really this music is better enjoyed at more humane and indulged tempos. And I really don't believe they play it this fast for real performances, it is totally undanceable.

Two into One won't go...., 02 Feb 2005
Firstly the strengths ....the recorded sound is excellent and the music is played with energy, brilliance and musicality. But there's no way that you could dance to this...unless you're a whirling dervish...yet Tchaikovsky composed/fashioned the music with that in mind. I had heard a couple of excerpts from the disc before I went ahead and bought it and I'd hoped the faster tempi wouldn't matter ...but it does... the score is whizzed-through like a shot out of a gun. I can imagine all the whittling-down, second by second that must've gone on behind the scenes in the recording studio, to get the ballet squashed onto one disc. There's hardly a pause in the relentless progress of the music from one track to the next & from the beginning to the end of the disc....and this affects the 'integrity' of the music as a result. 'Pauses' matter.
If you're new to this music & haven't seen the music danced-to, then maybe this all won't matter so much but if you've been touched by Tchaikovsky's magical score where there was time to reflect and enjoy the unfolding pagaent of melody within a dance scenario, then my recommendation is to buy a different interpretation.

Superb, 24 Apr 2003
I was a little apprehensive about buying this CD, as you can buy a boxed set of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty for not a great deal more. However, as I already owned the Seiji Ozawa performance of Swan Lake (another excellent CD), I decided to continue to buy them separately.

I could not have made a better choice.

This CD is, in a word, superb. It is the whole ballet, rather than the extracts found on many other CDs. Although I am not a particular conneseur of clasical music, to me this performance is full of energy and excitement, and I could not possibly fault it. The sound quality is exceptional - perfectly reproduced with no hissing, clicks or buzzes.

This is an essential purchase for anybody who enjoys Tchikovsky's ballets, if not every classical music fan.

wow!, 22 Jul 2001
This is one piece of music is revolutionary. Instead of harmony or "tune" as it's content it uses rhythm. Primeval and dark it shows the picture of the tradition rite of spring Stravinsky was trying to show. This is ballet at it's best and at it's most raw. I cannot recommend this music enough. This forms a sort of bridge between the romantic era and the modern movement. Mix this music with works such as Picasso or even impressionists as Renoir washed down with buckets of absinthe and you will see what a revolution in sound and vision (plus resolve!) was going on. What are you doing you are reading on you should be buying this stop reading the review goes pretty boring from now on trust me! And for those not familiar with the ballet this was the music from the dinosaur bit in fantasia!

The very best, 13 Dec 2008
It's hard to get excited about this music, most of it played to death on Classic FM. However, the quality of the performances and the recordings are so exemplary I could enjoy these all over again.

Buy these even if you have the music already. You really owe your collection this CD.

Detail you just dont hear elsewhere!, 11 Oct 2007
One might have thought that the Ballet suites have been recorded too many times, for anyone to get excited about 'another' recording! In truth these are fabulous performances, with inner detail that I have to say I haven't heard in any other recordings! At an incredibly low price, I urge anyone thinking of buying a recording of the suites to look no further.
A superb cellist and wonderful conductor, golly how we will miss him!

Outstanding Tchaikovsky disc, 23 Oct 2003
Outstanding versions of Tchaikovsky’s three popular ballet suites. The Berlin Philharmonic is in glowing form and Mstislav Rostropovich on the rostrum sounds inspired as none else. Warmly and dynamically recorded, with plenty of orchestral detail, this thrilling disc may stand as a criterion from the analogue era.
If you only need the suites, or if you think this music no longer holds any surprises for you, this is the CD to go for. Highly recommended.

Gergiev's complete Nutcracker is tops, 17 Jun 2007
Of all the recordings by Gergiev I own, I feel more than ready to consider this among his more pleasing efforts. Gergiev brings a new perspective to this well-worn Tchaiokvsy chestnut, such that it is given a more robust performance than typically given during the myriad of Christmas ballet productions. From the lightness of the overture to the weighty grandeur of the finale, Gergiev ably fleshes out the contrasting moods in the score. Adopting generally brisk speeds, he adopts continuity yet still churns out a magical performance for one to revel in the many felicities of the score. Now, these brisk seeds are not as rushed as many people might think, but they really make the ballet lilt and trip along without sounding clunky like most other recordings of the work. The dramatic mood is suitably conveyed in the transformation scene, and the many famous dances in the Suite are given crisp, robust readings. The two Pas de deux scenes and the various Waltzes convey a stately grandeur, especially during the Waltz of the Flowers. Yet there is also a delicacy in the Sugarplum Fairy's Dance, the Arabian Dance and the Dance of the Reed Pipes. Throughout Gergiev elicits a robust sound from the Kirov Orchestra, with a fine balance between the sections, except perhaps for the wobbly Russian brass. The Philips recording is superb, one of their best recent recordings, sumptuous yet clean and well-detailed. An added bonus is the fact that this Nutcracker only takes up one CD rather than two. Highly highly recommended, especially since this fresh and robust rendition seems destined to put other Nutcrackers to shame. Don't let the bad reviews discourage you - this is a crackling, energetic Nutcracker that really lends a new lease of life to this overplayed ballet.

well...it's no where near as good as the u.s. marine band..., 02 Jun 2006
I've only just graduated from high school where I played in the school's symphonic winds band. But there are things that I learned that this group should have taken heed to. Although they play with amazing speed and alacrity, sometimes a fast tempo just isn't that impressive. Especially if the piece is supposed to be admired for other more aesthetical aspects. The ensemble, don't get me wrong, is filled with very talented players. However, this recording, where there's enthusiasm, there's also a lack of musicality. I'll just focus on the one part "Presents of the Drosselmeyer". This movement is my favorite (on the London Philharmonic Orchestra recording), but I was highly disappointed when I heard it on this CD. The tone was too fanfare-ish...too much trumpet. The tempo was way way way too fast. And because of the too-fast tempo, the bassoon solo at the end of the song (playing the same melody that the upper strings and woodwinds play at the beginning) is not enjoyable. The overall tone of the group could have been improved by...well...more bottom (bass, tuba, etc), less top (trumpet...). Tempo? Well, that's all up to the artistic interpretation of the conductor...which in this case was very wrong.
I'm glad that I borrowed this CD instead of actually buying it.

Slow Down!, 13 Jan 2006
This is too fast. I wonder whether any of it was artificially speeded up to fit it on one CD. With digital technology a piece can be speeded up with no change of pitch. To me, the attack and decay of the notes sometimes sounds unnatural. Maybe I'm mistaken, but if the attack/decay is sometimes accelerated this would confirm the presence of technological tinkering. I'm sure this Orchestra can play fast, but to me the effect is comic and a bit disturbing, even if part of me can appreciate the technical feat. Really this music is better enjoyed at more humane and indulged tempos. And I really don't believe they play it this fast for real performances, it is totally undanceable.

Two into One won't go...., 02 Feb 2005
Firstly the strengths ....the recorded sound is excellent and the music is played with energy, brilliance and musicality. But there's no way that you could dance to this...unless you're a whirling dervish...yet Tchaikovsky composed/fashioned the music with that in mind. I had heard a couple of excerpts from the disc before I went ahead and bought it and I'd hoped the faster tempi wouldn't matter ...but it does... the score is whizzed-through like a shot out of a gun. I can imagine all the whittling-down, second by second that must've gone on behind the scenes in the recording studio, to get the ballet squashed onto one disc. There's hardly a pause in the relentless progress of the music from one track to the next & from the beginning to the end of the disc....and this affects the 'integrity' of the music as a result. 'Pauses' matter.
If you're new to this music & haven't seen the music danced-to, then maybe this all won't matter so much but if you've been touched by Tchaikovsky's magical score where there was time to reflect and enjoy the unfolding pagaent of melody within a dance scenario, then my recommendation is to buy a different interpretation.

Superb, 24 Apr 2003
I was a little apprehensive about buying this CD, as you can buy a boxed set of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty for not a great deal more. However, as I already owned the Seiji Ozawa performance of Swan Lake (another excellent CD), I decided to continue to buy them separately.

I could not have made a better choice.

This CD is, in a word, superb. It is the whole ballet, rather than the extracts found on many other CDs. Although I am not a particular conneseur of clasical music, to me this performance is full of energy and excitement, and I could not possibly fault it. The sound quality is exceptional - perfectly reproduced with no hissing, clicks or buzzes.

This is an essential purchase for anybody who enjoys Tchikovsky's ballets, if not every classical music fan.

wow!, 22 Jul 2001
This is one piece of music is revolutionary. Instead of harmony or "tune" as it's content it uses rhythm. Primeval and dark it shows the picture of the tradition rite of spring Stravinsky was trying to show. This is ballet at it's best and at it's most raw. I cannot recommend this music enough. This forms a sort of bridge between the romantic era and the modern movement. Mix this music with works such as Picasso or even impressionists as Renoir washed down with buckets of absinthe and you will see what a revolution in sound and vision (plus resolve!) was going on. What are you doing you are reading on you should be buying this stop reading the review goes pretty boring from now on trust me! And for those not familiar with the ballet this was the music from the dinosaur bit in fantasia!

truncated version of a beautiful ballet, 20 Mar 2008
Dancers fabulous as usual, but unfortunately the original full length ballet has been severely cut, (to 78 minutes, for goodness sake) missing out a great many of the set pieces and therefore not showing to its best advantage. The missing scenes are wonderful to watch. I did have the full version originally and wish I could obtain it again.

Thrown away with the houshold rubbish, 22 Sep 2007
An attempt to make a story film for children. I have broken the DVD and thrown it out with the other American Ballet DVD with the rest of the houshold rubbish so nobody else gets mislead on what this great ballet should be. I am sure that some of the other productions on sale will appeal to all from age 3 to 110. The ballet plots by themselves are nothing unless the emphasis is on a great performance! Any magic there was has been lost by gimmiks in filming and props.

Mediocre, 20 Mar 2007
This Nutcracker was filmed for TV, using dancers from the American Ballet Theater. The big name was of course Baryshnikov, who had recently come to the West.
The whole production is second rate, mostly because of lack of imagination rather than lack of resources. Sets and costumes look dull and the direction generates no excitement whatsoever.
The corps-de-ballet is mediocre, but most of the solo dancing is very good.
Baryshnikov makes a great start. His scene as the Nutcracker is wonderful for the mechanical percision of his movements, but once the mask is off, his Narcissism gets the upper hand. He dances "alone", trying to seduce the camera rather than his partner. Great dancing, but it failled to enchant me.
The opposite is true of his co-star, the lovely Gelsey Kirkland. In the beginning I was struck by how child-like she seemed. As the performance progressed I was enthralled by her grace and charm. She was a real "floater", -you think she barely touched the ground when she danced,- and she had a beautiful sense of "flowing" with the music. If I were rating her performance, I would give it 5 stars without hesitation. I think this dvd is worth viewing for her alone.

Good, 09 Jan 2007
Basically I would think this is for Nutcracker nuts only. Its great but comes in the middle somewhere of all the ones Ive seen. It was filmed for TV and I think things are best when it is filmed with a live audience in a theatre. Thats just my thought. How ever at the start you see Barishnykovs fantastic skill in Slow motion, a pre highlight before the start and performing his jumps with the greatest of ease effortless. What he must have been like when he was excelling himself must have been out of this world. I would say for Nutcracker nuts only but still recommended. I like his Don quitoxe best for seeing his dancing.

The very best, 13 Dec 2008
It's hard to get excited about this music, most of it played to death on Classic FM. However, the quality of the performances and the recordings are so exemplary I could enjoy these all over again.

Buy these even if you have the music already. You really owe your collection this CD.

Detail you just dont hear elsewhere!, 11 Oct 2007
One might have thought that the Ballet suites have been recorded too many times, for anyone to get excited about 'another' recording! In truth these are fabulous performances, with inner detail that I have to say I haven't heard in any other recordings! At an incredibly low price, I urge anyone thinking of buying a recording of the suites to look no further.
A superb cellist and wonderful conductor, golly how we will miss him!

Outstanding Tchaikovsky disc, 23 Oct 2003
Outstanding versions of Tchaikovsky’s three popular ballet suites. The Berlin Philharmonic is in glowing form and Mstislav Rostropovich on the rostrum sounds inspired as none else. Warmly and dynamically recorded, with plenty of orchestral detail, this thrilling disc may stand as a criterion from the analogue era.
If you only need the suites, or if you think this music no longer holds any surprises for you, this is the CD to go for. Highly recommended.

Gergiev's complete Nutcracker is tops, 17 Jun 2007
Of all the recordings by Gergiev I own, I feel more than ready to consider this among his more pleasing efforts. Gergiev brings a new perspective to this well-worn Tchaiokvsy chestnut, such that it is given a more robust performance than typically given during the myriad of Christmas ballet productions. From the lightness of the overture to the weighty grandeur of the finale, Gergiev ably fleshes out the contrasting moods in the score. Adopting generally brisk speeds, he adopts continuity yet still churns out a magical performance for one to revel in the many felicities of the score. Now, these brisk seeds are not as rushed as many people might think, but they really make the ballet lilt and trip along without sounding clunky like most other recordings of the work. The dramatic mood is suitably conveyed in the transformation scene, and the many famous dances in the Suite are given crisp, robust readings. The two Pas de deux scenes and the various Waltzes convey a stately grandeur, especially during the Waltz of the Flowers. Yet there is also a delicacy in the Sugarplum Fairy's Dance, the Arabian Dance and the Dance of the Reed Pipes. Throughout Gergiev elicits a robust sound from the Kirov Orchestra, with a fine balance between the sections, except perhaps for the wobbly Russian brass. The Philips recording is superb, one of their best recent recordings, sumptuous yet clean and well-detailed. An added bonus is the fact that this Nutcracker only takes up one CD rather than two. Highly highly recommended, especially since this fresh and robust rendition seems destined to put other Nutcrackers to shame. Don't let the bad reviews discourage you - this is a crackling, energetic Nutcracker that really lends a new lease of life to this overplayed ballet.

well...it's no where near as good as the u.s. marine band..., 02 Jun 2006
I've only just graduated from high school where I played in the school's symphonic winds band. But there are things that I learned that this group should have taken heed to. Although they play with amazing speed and alacrity, sometimes a fast tempo just isn't that impressive. Especially if the piece is supposed to be admired for other more aesthetical aspects. The ensemble, don't get me wrong, is filled with very talented players. However, this recording, where there's enthusiasm, there's also a lack of musicality. I'll just focus on the one part "Presents of the Drosselmeyer". This movement is my favorite (on the London Philharmonic Orchestra recording), but I was highly disappointed when I heard it on this CD. The tone was too fanfare-ish...too much trumpet. The tempo was way way way too fast. And because of the too-fast tempo, the bassoon solo at the end of the song (playing the same melody that the upper strings and woodwinds play at the beginning) is not enjoyable. The overall tone of the group could have been improved by...well...more bottom (bass, tuba, etc), less top (trumpet...). Tempo? Well, that's all up to the artistic interpretation of the conductor...which in this case was very wrong.
I'm glad that I borrowed this CD instead of actually buying it.

Slow Down!, 13 Jan 2006
This is too fast. I wonder whether any of it was artificially speeded up to fit it on one CD. With digital technology a piece can be speeded up with no change of pitch. To me, the attack and decay of the notes sometimes sounds unnatural. Maybe I'm mistaken, but if the attack/decay is sometimes accelerated this would confirm the presence of technological tinkering. I'm sure this Orchestra can play fast, but to me the effect is comic and a bit disturbing, even if part of me can appreciate the technical feat. Really this music is better enjoyed at more humane and indulged tempos. And I really don't believe they play it this fast for real performances, it is totally undanceable.

Two into One won't go...., 02 Feb 2005
Firstly the strengths ....the recorded sound is excellent and the music is played with energy, brilliance and musicality. But there's no way that you could dance to this...unless you're a whirling dervish...yet Tchaikovsky composed/fashioned the music with that in mind. I had heard a couple of excerpts from the disc before I went ahead and bought it and I'd hoped the faster tempi wouldn't matter ...but it does... the score is whizzed-through like a shot out of a gun. I can imagine all the whittling-down, second by second that must've gone on behind the scenes in the recording studio, to get the ballet squashed onto one disc. There's hardly a pause in the relentless progress of the music from one track to the next & from the beginning to the end of the disc....and this affects the 'integrity' of the music as a result. 'Pauses' matter.
If you're new to this music & haven't seen the music danced-to, then maybe this all won't matter so much but if you've been touched by Tchaikovsky's magical score where there was time to reflect and enjoy the unfolding pagaent of melody within a dance scenario, then my recommendation is to buy a different interpretation.

Superb, 24 Apr 2003
I was a little apprehensive about buying this CD, as you can buy a boxed set of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty for not a great deal more. However, as I already owned the Seiji Ozawa performance of Swan Lake (another excellent CD), I decided to continue to buy them separately.

I could not have made a better choice.

This CD is, in a word, superb. It is the whole ballet, rather than the extracts found on many other CDs. Although I am not a particular conneseur of clasical music, to me this performance is full of energy and excitement, and I could not possibly fault it. The sound quality is exceptional - perfectly reproduced with no hissing, clicks or buzzes.

This is an essential purchase for anybody who enjoys Tchikovsky's ballets, if not every classical music fan.

wow!, 22 Jul 2001
This is one piece of music is revolutionary. Instead of harmony or "tune" as it's content it uses rhythm. Primeval and dark it shows the picture of the tradition rite of spring Stravinsky was trying to show. This is ballet at it's best and at it's most raw. I cannot recommend this music enough. This forms a sort of bridge between the romantic era and the modern movement. Mix this music with works such as Picasso or even impressionists as Renoir washed down with buckets of absinthe and you will see what a revolution in sound and vision (plus resolve!) was going on. What are you doing you are reading on you should be buying this stop reading the review goes pretty boring from now on trust me! And for those not familiar with the ballet this was the music from the dinosaur bit in fantasia!

truncated version of a beautiful ballet, 20 Mar 2008
Dancers fabulous as usual, but unfortunately the original full length ballet has been severely cut, (to 78 minutes, for goodness sake) missing out a great many of the set pieces and therefore not showing to its best advantage. The missing scenes are wonderful to watch. I did have the full version originally and wish I could obtain it again.

Thrown away with the houshold rubbish, 22 Sep 2007
An attempt to make a story film for children. I have broken the DVD and thrown it out with the other American Ballet DVD with the rest of the houshold rubbish so nobody else gets mislead on what this great ballet should be. I am sure that some of the other productions on sale will appeal to all from age 3 to 110. The ballet plots by themselves are nothing unless the emphasis is on a great performance! Any magic there was has been lost by gimmiks in filming and props.

Mediocre, 20 Mar 2007
This Nutcracker was filmed for TV, using dancers from the American Ballet Theater. The big name was of course Baryshnikov, who had recently come to the West.
The whole production is second rate, mostly because of lack of imagination rather than lack of resources. Sets and costumes look dull and the direction generates no excitement whatsoever.
The corps-de-ballet is mediocre, but most of the solo dancing is very good.
Baryshnikov makes a great start. His scene as the Nutcracker is wonderful for the mechanical percision of his movements, but once the mask is off, his Narcissism gets the upper hand. He dances "alone", trying to seduce the camera rather than his partner. Great dancing, but it failled to enchant me.
The opposite is true of his co-star, the lovely Gelsey Kirkland. In the beginning I was struck by how child-like she seemed. As the performance progressed I was enthralled by her grace and charm. She was a real "floater", -you think she barely touched the ground when she danced,- and she had a beautiful sense of "flowing" with the music. If I were rating her performance, I would give it 5 stars without hesitation. I think this dvd is worth viewing for her alone.

Good, 09 Jan 2007
Basically I would think this is for Nutcracker nuts only. Its great but comes in the middle somewhere of all the ones Ive seen. It was filmed for TV and I think things are best when it is filmed with a live audience in a theatre. Thats just my thought. How ever at the start you see Barishnykovs fantastic skill in Slow motion, a pre highlight before the start and performing his jumps with the greatest of ease effortless. What he must have been like when he was excelling himself must have been out of this world. I would say for Nutcracker nuts only but still recommended. I like his Don quitoxe best for seeing his dancing.

comparison , 15 Nov 2007
NO VERSION CAN COMPARE WITH KIROV. MY FAVOURITE IS MAKHALINA AND ZAKLINSKY. BOLSHOI A CLOSE SECOND THE ROYAL BALLET VERSION IS NOT ONE OF MY PREFERRED VERSIONS.EVEN THE 1966 KIROV VERSION IS BETTER THAN NURYEVS VERSION.

Dreadful Production , 05 Aug 2007
The cor d'ballet is awful. The costumes and sets are atrocious. The choreography (Nureyev's variation is bizzare and troublesome). Yes young Nureyev dances with bravura and as a historical record one might want to watch these moments, but to view the whole DVD is a painful and tedious experience. There are much better versions available; my favorite is The Royal Ballet version with Markova and Anthony Dowell. Avoid this version.

Nureyev's Prince Siegfried, 08 Mar 2007
I first saw this film of Tchaikovsky's ballet when I was a kid. Back then, I had found it enchanting. Watching it again, when it was first issued on dvd, I felt quite disappointed. Re-viewing it now, -a little more objectively, I think,- I find enough reasons to recommend it, though I would not suggest that this should be anybody's first or one-and-only Swan Lake.
First of all, this is a film, made in a studio and meant to be seen on a very large screen. The spectacle is much less impressive on a TV screen, -even a large one. This becomes particularly annoying whenever Fonteyn is dancing. Being much older than her co-star, the ballerina had asked for no close-ups, hoping to appear more youthful when filmed from a distance. Still, on the big screen you could see her face and expressions clearly. On a Tv screen most of the time you have to guess.
To continue with the shortcomings, the corps de ballet employed comes from the Vienna State Opera and is definitely second-rate. There are some fine moments here and there, but mostly things are average or even less than that.
I've allready mentioned that Fonteyn was past her prime when this film was made and the choreography was, understandably, adapted so as not to expose her declining abilities. There are still some weak moments, especially in the 2nd act. Her movements are generally slower and her balance seems to be somewhat insecure, but overall the emphasis is placed on her elegance, style and fascinating personality, -all of which are very much in evidence. Combine that with the dancing you see in her older films (in different parts, as no other Swan Lake of hers has been preserved, as far as I know,) and you can understand what a marvellous Odete she must have been in the 1950s.
Under the circumstances, the real star of the film is the young Rudolf Nureyev. Perhaps because he was aware of the fact that he was not a "natural" Siegfried, -the part is usually the property of the "noble" dancers,- Nureyev makes an effort to behave in a more "prince-like" fashion, at least in the mime sections. Unfortunately that comes across as effeminate and his atrocious make-up makes things even worse.
Thank God, all that is quickly forgotten when he actually starts dancing. His solo moments exhibit the bravura and breath-taking ability which made him the most famous dancer of his time, while in his dancing with Fonteyn we witness that special chemistry that existed between the two of them. The connection is not like an electric current (as it has been described at times), but more like a warm glow that unites the couple in a partnership of love. I found it truly touching.

The actress Prunella Scales is the narrator on this Naxos release which is unashamedly aimed at the children's Christmas market. Two seasonal works fill 64 minutes--Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite and Rimsky-Korsakov's Christmas Eve Suite. Scales is rather a plummy mother. Her elegant diction comes from a bygone dinner-party era. She sounds kind and warm but also somewhat distant as if she were the sort to employ a third party actually to bring the children up. One imagines her obedient junior audience demurely sitting in rows, not making a sound, restraining themselves even as the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" twinkles magically from the speakers. Children may find this lap-forbidding. Nikolai Gogol wrote the story for Rimsky-Korsakov's opera Christmas Eve. A blacksmith fools the devil, obtains a pair of the Empress' slippers and wins the initially reluctant hand of the prettiest girl in town. Rimsky-Korsakov's music is more incidental to, and dependant on, the story than Tchaikovsky's, which may be performed without. Michael Halasz conducts the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra in the Tchaikovsky, Igor Golovschin the Moscow Symphony Orchestra in the Rimsky-Korsakov. All very charming in a children-should-be-seen-and-not-heard sort of way. --Rick Jones

The very best, 13 Dec 2008
It's hard to get excited about this music, most of it played to death on Classic FM. However, the quality of the performances and the recordings are so exemplary I could enjoy these all over again.

Buy these even if you have the music already. You really owe your collection this CD.

Detail you just dont hear elsewhere!, 11 Oct 2007
One might have thought that the Ballet suites have been recorded too many times, for anyone to get excited about 'another' recording! In truth these are fabulous performances, with inner detail that I have to say I haven't heard in any other recordings! At an incredibly low price, I urge anyone thinking of buying a recording of the suites to look no further.
A superb cellist and wonderful conductor, golly how we will miss him!

Outstanding Tchaikovsky disc, 23 Oct 2003
Outstanding versions of Tchaikovsky’s three popular ballet suites. The Berlin Philharmonic is in glowing form and Mstislav Rostropovich on the rostrum sounds inspired as none else. Warmly and dynamically recorded, with plenty of orchestral detail, this thrilling disc may stand as a criterion from the analogue era.
If you only need the suites, or if you think this music no longer holds any surprises for you, this is the CD to go for. Highly recommended.

Gergiev's complete Nutcracker is tops, 17 Jun 2007
Of all the recordings by Gergiev I own, I feel more than ready to consider this among his more pleasing efforts. Gergiev brings a new perspective to this well-worn Tchaiokvsy chestnut, such that it is given a more robust performance than typically given during the myriad of Christmas ballet productions. From the lightness of the overture to the weighty grandeur of the finale, Gergiev ably fleshes out the contrasting moods in the score. Adopting generally brisk speeds, he adopts continuity yet still churns out a magical performance for one to revel in the many felicities of the score. Now, these brisk seeds are not as rushed as many people might think, but they really make the ballet lilt and trip along without sounding clunky like most other recordings of the work. The dramatic mood is suitably conveyed in the transformation scene, and the many famous dances in the Suite are given crisp, robust readings. The two Pas de deux scenes and the various Waltzes convey a stately grandeur, especially during the Waltz of the Flowers. Yet there is also a delicacy in the Sugarplum Fairy's Dance, the Arabian Dance and the Dance of the Reed Pipes. Throughout Gergiev elicits a robust sound from the Kirov Orchestra, with a fine balance between the sections, except perhaps for the wobbly Russian brass. The Philips recording is superb, one of their best recent recordings, sumptuous yet clean and well-detailed. An added bonus is the fact that this Nutcracker only takes up one CD rather than two. Highly highly recommended, especially since this fresh and robust rendition seems destined to put other Nutcrackers to shame. Don't let the bad reviews discourage you - this is a crackling, energetic Nutcracker that really lends a new lease of life to this overplayed ballet.

well...it's no where near as good as the u.s. marine band..., 02 Jun 2006
I've only just graduated from high school where I played in the school's symphonic winds band. But there are things that I learned that this group should have taken heed to. Although they play with amazing speed and alacrity, sometimes a fast tempo just isn't that impressive. Especially if the piece is supposed to be admired for other more aesthetical aspects. The ensemble, don't get me wrong, is filled with very talented players. However, this recording, where there's enthusiasm, there's also a lack of musicality. I'll just focus on the one part "Presents of the Drosselmeyer". This movement is my favorite (on the London Philharmonic Orchestra recording), but I was highly disappointed when I heard it on this CD. The tone was too fanfare-ish...too much trumpet. The tempo was way way way too fast. And because of the too-fast tempo, the bassoon solo at the end of the song (playing the same melody that the upper strings and woodwinds play at the beginning) is not enjoyable. The overall tone of the group could have been improved by...well...more bottom (bass, tuba, etc), less top (trumpet...). Tempo? Well, that's all up to the artistic interpretation of the conductor...which in this case was very wrong.
I'm glad that I borrowed this CD instead of actually buying it.

Slow Down!, 13 Jan 2006
This is too fast. I wonder whether any of it was artificially speeded up to fit it on one CD. With digital technology a piece can be speeded up with no change of pitch. To me, the attack and decay of the notes sometimes sounds unnatural. Maybe I'm mistaken, but if the attack/decay is sometimes accelerated this would confirm the presence of technological tinkering. I'm sure this Orchestra can play fast, but to me the effect is comic and a bit disturbing, even if part of me can appreciate the technical feat. Really this music is better enjoyed at more humane and indulged tempos. And I really don't believe they play it this fast for real performances, it is totally undanceable.

Two into One won't go...., 02 Feb 2005
Firstly the strengths ....the recorded sound is excellent and the music is played with energy, brilliance and musicality. But there's no way that you could dance to this...unless you're a whirling dervish...yet Tchaikovsky composed/fashioned the music with that in mind. I had heard a couple of excerpts from the disc before I went ahead and bought it and I'd hoped the faster tempi wouldn't matter ...but it does... the score is whizzed-through like a shot out of a gun. I can imagine all the whittling-down, second by second that must've gone on behind the scenes in the recording studio, to get the ballet squashed onto one disc. There's hardly a pause in the relentless progress of the music from one track to the next & from the beginning to the end of the disc....and this affects the 'integrity' of the music as a result. 'Pauses' matter.
If you're new to this music & haven't seen the music danced-to, then maybe this all won't matter so much but if you've been touched by Tchaikovsky's magical score where there was time to reflect and enjoy the unfolding pagaent of melody within a dance scenario, then my recommendation is to buy a different interpretation.

Superb, 24 Apr 2003
I was a little apprehensive about buying this CD, as you can buy a boxed set of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty for not a great deal more. However, as I already owned the Seiji Ozawa performance of Swan Lake (another excellent CD), I decided to continue to buy them separately.

I could not have made a better choice.

This CD is, in a word, superb. It is the whole ballet, rather than the extracts found on many other CDs. Although I am not a particular conneseur of clasical music, to me this performance is full of energy and excitement, and I could not possibly fault it. The sound quality is exceptional - perfectly reproduced with no hissing, clicks or buzzes.

This is an essential purchase for anybody who enjoys Tchikovsky's ballets, if not every classical music fan.

wow!, 22 Jul 2001
This is one piece of music is revolutionary. Instead of harmony or "tune" as it's content it uses rhythm. Primeval and dark it shows the picture of the tradition rite of spring Stravinsky was trying to show. This is ballet at it's best and at it's most raw. I cannot recommend this music enough. This forms a sort of bridge between the romantic era and the modern movement. Mix this music with works such as Picasso or even impressionists as Renoir washed down with buckets of absinthe and you will see what a revolution in sound and vision (plus resolve!) was going on. What are you doing you are reading on you should be buying this stop reading the review goes pretty boring from now on trust me! And for those not familiar with the ballet this was the music from the dinosaur bit in fantasia!

truncated version of a beautiful ballet, 20 Mar 2008
Dancers fabulous as usual, but unfortunately the original full length ballet has been severely cut, (to 78 minutes, for goodness sake) missing out a great many of the set pieces and therefore not showing to its best advantage. The missing scenes are wonderful to watch. I did have the full version originally and wish I could obtain it again.

Thrown away with the houshold rubbish, 22 Sep 2007
An attempt to make a story film for children. I have broken the DVD and thrown it out with the other American Ballet DVD with the rest of the houshold rubbish so nobody else gets mislead on what this great ballet should be. I am sure that some of the other productions on sale will appeal to all from age 3 to 110. The ballet plots by themselves are nothing unless the emphasis is on a great performance! Any magic there was has been lost by gimmiks in filming and props.

Mediocre, 20 Mar 2007
This Nutcracker was filmed for TV, using dancers from the American Ballet Theater. The big name was of course Baryshnikov, who had recently come to the West.
The whole production is second rate, mostly because of lack of imagination rather than lack of resources. Sets and costumes look dull and the direction generates no excitement whatsoever.
The corps-de-ballet is mediocre, but most of the solo dancing is very good.
Baryshnikov makes a great start. His scene as the Nutcracker is wonderful for the mechanical percision of his movements, but once the mask is off, his Narcissism gets the upper hand. He dances "alone", trying to seduce the camera rather than his partner. Great dancing, but it failled to enchant me.
The opposite is true of his co-star, the lovely Gelsey Kirkland. In the beginning I was struck by how child-like she seemed. As the performance progressed I was enthralled by her grace and charm. She was a real "floater", -you think she barely touched the ground when she danced,- and she had a beautiful sense of "flowing" with the music. If I were rating her performance, I would give it 5 stars without hesitation. I think this dvd is worth viewing for her alone.

Good, 09 Jan 2007
Basically I would think this is for Nutcracker nuts only. Its great but comes in the middle somewhere of all the ones Ive seen. It was filmed for TV and I think things are best when it is filmed with a live audience in a theatre. Thats just my thought. How ever at the start you see Barishnykovs fantastic skill in Slow motion, a pre highlight before the start and performing his jumps with the greatest of ease effortless. What he must have been like when he was excelling himself must have been out of this world. I would say for Nutcracker nuts only but still recommended. I like his Don quitoxe best for seeing his dancing.

comparison , 15 Nov 2007
NO VERSION CAN COMPARE WITH KIROV. MY FAVOURITE IS MAKHALINA AND ZAKLINSKY. BOLSHOI A CLOSE SECOND THE ROYAL BALLET VERSION IS NOT ONE OF MY PREFERRED VERSIONS.EVEN THE 1966 KIROV VERSION IS BETTER THAN NURYEVS VERSION.

Dreadful Production , 05 Aug 2007
The cor d'ballet is awful. The costumes and sets are atrocious. The choreography (Nureyev's variation is bizzare and troublesome). Yes young Nureyev dances with bravura and as a historical record one might want to watch these moments, but to view the whole DVD is a painful and tedious experience. There are much better versions available; my favorite is The Royal Ballet version with Markova and Anthony Dowell. Avoid this version.

Nureyev's Prince Siegfried, 08 Mar 2007
I first saw this film of Tchaikovsky's ballet when I was a kid. Back then, I had found it enchanting. Watching it again, when it was first issued on dvd, I felt quite disappointed. Re-viewing it now, -a little more objectively, I think,- I find enough reasons to recommend it, though I would not suggest that this should be anybody's first or one-and-only Swan Lake.
First of all, this is a film, made in a studio and meant to be seen on a very large screen. The spectacle is much less impressive on a TV screen, -even a large one. This becomes particularly annoying whenever Fonteyn is dancing. Being much older than her co-star, the ballerina had asked for no close-ups, hoping to appear more youthful when filmed from a distance. Still, on the big screen you could see her face and expressions clearly. On a Tv screen most of the time you have to guess.
To continue with the shortcomings, the corps de ballet employed comes from the Vienna State Opera and is definitely second-rate. There are some fine moments here and there, but mostly things are average or even less than that.
I've allready mentioned that Fonteyn was past her prime when this film was made and the choreography was, understandably, adapted so as not to expose her declining abilities. There are still some weak moments, especially in the 2nd act. Her movements are generally slower and her balance seems to be somewhat insecure, but overall the emphasis is placed on her elegance, style and fascinating personality, -all of which are very much in evidence. Combine that with the dancing you see in her older films (in different parts, as no other Swan Lake of hers has been preserved, as far as I know,) and you can understand what a marvellous Odete she must have been in the 1950s.
Under the circumstances, the real star of the film is the young Rudolf Nureyev. Perhaps because he was aware of the fact that he was not a "natural" Siegfried, -the part is usually the property of the "noble" dancers,- Nureyev makes an effort to behave in a more "prince-like" fashion, at least in the mime sections. Unfortunately that comes across as effeminate and his atrocious make-up makes things even worse.
Thank God, all that is quickly forgotten when he actually starts dancing. His solo moments exhibit the bravura and breath-taking ability which made him the most famous dancer of his time, while in his dancing with Fonteyn we witness that special chemistry that existed between the two of them. The connection is not like an electric current (as it has been described at times), but more like a warm glow that unites the couple in a partnership of love. I found it truly touching.

A civilising experience, 02 Aug 2002
It's true that the narration style of Prunella Scales is cool and restrained, but that is entirely in keeping with the tone of her script. The music sparkles, and The Nutcracker is full of memorable tunes that children warm to. Can it hold up against all the competition for kids' attention at Christmas? I think it probably can.

The very best, 13 Dec 2008
It's hard to get excited about this music, most of it played to death on Classic FM. However, the quality of the performances and the recordings are so exemplary I could enjoy these all over again.

Buy these even if you have the music already. You really owe your collection this CD.

Detail you just dont hear elsewhere!, 11 Oct 2007
One might have thought that the Ballet suites have been recorded too many times, for anyone to get excited about 'another' recording! In truth these are fabulous performances, with inner detail that I have to say I haven't heard in any other recordings! At an incredibly low price, I urge anyone thinking of buying a recording of the suites to look no further.
A superb cellist and wonderful conductor, golly how we will miss him!

Outstanding Tchaikovsky disc, 23 Oct 2003
Outstanding versions of Tchaikovsky’s three popular ballet suites. The Berlin Philharmonic is in glowing form and Mstislav Rostropovich on the rostrum sounds inspired as none else. Warmly and dynamically recorded, with plenty of orchestral detail, this thrilling disc may stand as a criterion from the analogue era.
If you only need the suites, or if you think this music no longer holds any surprises for you, this is the CD to go for. Highly recommended.

Gergiev's complete Nutcracker is tops, 17 Jun 2007
Of all the recordings by Gergiev I own, I feel more than ready to consider this among his more pleasing efforts. Gergiev brings a new perspective to this well-worn Tchaiokvsy chestnut, such that it is given a more robust performance than typically given during the myriad of Christmas ballet productions. From the lightness of the overture to the weighty grandeur of the finale, Gergiev ably fleshes out the contrasting moods in the score. Adopting generally brisk speeds, he adopts continuity yet still churns out a magical performance for one to revel in the many felicities of the score. Now, these brisk seeds are not as rushed as many people might think, but they really make the ballet lilt and trip along without sounding clunky like most other recordings of the work. The dramatic mood is suitably conveyed in the transformation scene, and the many famous dances in the Suite are given crisp, robust readings. The two Pas de deux scenes and the various Waltzes convey a stately grandeur, especially during the Waltz of the Flowers. Yet there is also a delicacy in the Sugarplum Fairy's Dance, the Arabian Dance and the Dance of the Reed Pipes. Throughout Gergiev elicits a robust sound from the Kirov Orchestra, with a fine balance between the sections, except perhaps for the wobbly Russian brass. The Philips recording is superb, one of their best recent recordings, sumptuous yet clean and well-detailed. An added bonus is the fact that this Nutcracker only takes up one CD rather than two. Highly highly recommended, especially since this fresh and robust rendition seems destined to put other Nutcrackers to shame. Don't let the bad reviews discourage you - this is a crackling, energetic Nutcracker that really lends a new lease of life to this overplayed ballet.

well...it's no where near as good as the u.s. marine band..., 02 Jun 2006
I've only just graduated from high school where I played in the school's symphonic winds band. But there are things that I learned that this group should have taken heed to. Although they play with amazing speed and alacrity, sometimes a fast tempo just isn't that impressive. Especially if the piece is supposed to be admired for other more aesthetical aspects. The ensemble, don't get me wrong, is filled with very talented players. However, this recording, where there's enthusiasm, there's also a lack of musicality. I'll just focus on the one part "Presents of the Drosselmeyer". This movement is my favorite (on the London Philharmonic Orchestra recording), but I was highly disappointed when I heard it on this CD. The tone was too fanfare-ish...too much trumpet. The tempo was way way way too fast. And because of the too-fast tempo, the bassoon solo at the end of the song (playing the same melody that the upper strings and woodwinds play at the beginning) is not enjoyable. The overall tone of the group could have been improved by...well...more bottom (bass, tuba, etc), less top (trumpet...). Tempo? Well, that's all up to the artistic interpretation of the conductor...which in this case was very wrong.
I'm glad that I borrowed this CD instead of actually buying it.

Slow Down!, 13 Jan 2006
This is too fast. I wonder whether any of it was artificially speeded up to fit it on one CD. With digital technology a piece can be speeded up with no change of pitch. To me, the attack and decay of the notes sometimes sounds unnatural. Maybe I'm mistaken, but if the attack/decay is sometimes accelerated this would confirm the presence of technological tinkering. I'm sure this Orchestra can play fast, but to me the effect is comic and a bit disturbing, even if part of me can appreciate the technical feat. Really this music is better enjoyed at more humane and indulged tempos. And I really don't believe they play it this fast for real performances, it is totally undanceable.

Two into One won't go...., 02 Feb 2005
Firstly the strengths ....the recorded sound is excellent and the music is played with energy, brilliance and musicality. But there's no way that you could dance to this...unless you're a whirling dervish...yet Tchaikovsky composed/fashioned the music with that in mind. I had heard a couple of excerpts from the disc before I went ahead and bought it and I'd hoped the faster tempi wouldn't matter ...but it does... the score is whizzed-through like a shot out of a gun. I can imagine all the whittling-down, second by second that must've gone on behind the scenes in the recording studio, to get the ballet squashed onto one disc. There's hardly a pause in the relentless progress of the music from one track to the next & from the beginning to the end of the disc....and this affects the 'integrity' of the music as a result. 'Pauses' matter.
If you're new to this music & haven't seen the music danced-to, then maybe this all won't matter so much but if you've been touched by Tchaikovsky's magical score where there was time to reflect and enjoy the unfolding pagaent of melody within a dance scenario, then my recommendation is to buy a different interpretation.

Superb, 24 Apr 2003
I was a little apprehensive about buying this CD, as you can buy a boxed set of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty for not a great deal more. However, as I already owned the Seiji Ozawa performance of Swan Lake (another excellent CD), I decided to continue to buy them separately.

I could not have made a better choice.

This CD is, in a word, superb. It is the whole ballet, rather than the extracts found on many other CDs. Although I am not a particular conneseur of clasical music, to me this performance is full of energy and excitement, and I could not possibly fault it. The sound quality is exceptional - perfectly reproduced with no hissing, clicks or buzzes.

This is an essential purchase for anybody who enjoys Tchikovsky's ballets, if not every classical music fan.

wow!, 22 Jul 2001
This is one piece of music is revolutionary. Instead of harmony or "tune" as it's content it uses rhythm. Primeval and dark it shows the picture of the tradition rite of spring Stravinsky was trying to show. This is ballet at it's best and at it's most raw. I cannot recommend this music enough. This forms a sort of bridge between the romantic era and the modern movement. Mix this music with works such as Picasso or even impressionists as Renoir washed down with buckets of absinthe and you will see what a revolution in sound and vision (plus resolve!) was going on. What are you doing you are reading on you should be buying this stop reading the review goes pretty boring from now on trust me! And for those not familiar with the ballet this was the music from the dinosaur bit in fantasia!

truncated version of a beautiful ballet, 20 Mar 2008
Dancers fabulous as usual, but unfortunately the original full length ballet has been severely cut, (to 78 minutes, for goodness sake) missing out a great many of the set pieces and therefore not showing to its best advantage. The missing scenes are wonderful to watch. I did have the full version originally and wish I could obtain it again.

Thrown away with the houshold rubbish, 22 Sep 2007
An attempt to make a story film for children. I have broken the DVD and thrown it out with the other American Ballet DVD with the rest of the houshold rubbish so nobody else gets mislead on what this great ballet should be. I am sure that some of the other productions on sale will appeal to all from age 3 to 110. The ballet plots by themselves are nothing unless the emphasis is on a great performance! Any magic there was has been lost by gimmiks in filming and props.

Mediocre, 20 Mar 2007
This Nutcracker was filmed for TV, using dancers from the American Ballet Theater. The big name was of course Baryshnikov, who had recently come to the West.
The whole production is second rate, mostly because of lack of imagination rather than lack of resources. Sets and costumes look dull and the direction generates no excitement whatsoever.
The corps-de-ballet is mediocre, but most of the solo dancing is very good.
Baryshnikov makes a great start. His scene as the Nutcracker is wonderful for the mechanical percision of his movements, but once the mask is off, his Narcissism gets the upper hand. He dances "alone", trying to seduce the camera rather than his partner. Great dancing, but it failled to enchant me.
The opposite is true of his co-star, the lovely Gelsey Kirkland. In the beginning I was struck by how child-like she seemed. As the performance progressed I was enthralled by her grace and charm. She was a real "floater", -you think she barely touched the ground when she danced,- and she had a beautiful sense of "flowing" with the music. If I were rating her performance, I would give it 5 stars without hesitation. I think this dvd is worth viewing for her alone.

Good, 09 Jan 2007
Basically I would think this is for Nutcracker nuts only. Its great but comes in the middle somewhere of all the ones Ive seen. It was filmed for TV and I think things are best when it is filmed with a live audience in a theatre. Thats just my thought. How ever at the start you see Barishnykovs fantastic skill in Slow motion, a pre highlight before the start and performing his jumps with the greatest of ease effortless. What he must have been like when he was excelling himself must have been out of this world. I would say for Nutcracker nuts only but still recommended. I like his Don quitoxe best for seeing his dancing.

comparison , 15 Nov 2007
NO VERSION CAN COMPARE WITH KIROV. MY FAVOURITE IS MAKHALINA AND ZAKLINSKY. BOLSHOI A CLOSE SECOND THE ROYAL BALLET VERSION IS NOT ONE OF MY PREFERRED VERSIONS.EVEN THE 1966 KIROV VERSION IS BETTER THAN NURYEVS VERSION.

Dreadful Production , 05 Aug 2007
The cor d'ballet is awful. The costumes and sets are atrocious. The choreography (Nureyev's variation is bizzare and troublesome). Yes young Nureyev dances with bravura and as a historical record one might want to watch these moments, but to view the whole DVD is a painful and tedious experience. There are much better versions available; my favorite is The Royal Ballet version with Markova and Anthony Dowell. Avoid this version.

Nureyev's Prince Siegfried, 08 Mar 2007
I first saw this film of Tchaikovsky's ballet when I was a kid. Back then, I had found it enchanting. Watching it again, when it was first issued on dvd, I felt quite disappointed. Re-viewing it now, -a little more objectively, I think,- I find enough reasons to recommend it, though I would not suggest that this should be anybody's first or one-and-only Swan Lake.
First of all, this is a film, made in a studio and meant to be seen on a very large screen. The spectacle is much less impressive on a TV screen, -even a large one. This becomes particularly annoying whenever Fonteyn is dancing. Being much older than her co-star, the ballerina had asked for no close-ups, hoping to appear more youthful when filmed from a distance. Still, on the big screen you could see her face and expressions clearly. On a Tv screen most of the time you have to guess.
To continue with the shortcomings, the corps de ballet employed comes from the Vienna State Opera and is definitely second-rate. There are some fine moments here and there, but mostly things are average or even less than that.
I've allready mentioned that Fonteyn was past her prime when this film was made and the choreography was, understandably, adapted so as not to expose her declining abilities. There are still some weak moments, especially in the 2nd act. Her movements are generally slower and her balance seems to be somewhat insecure, but overall the emphasis is placed on her elegance, style and fascinating personality, -all of which are very much in evidence. Combine that with the dancing you see in her older films (in different parts, as no other Swan Lake of hers has been preserved, as far as I know,) and you can understand what a marvellous Odete she must have been in the 1950s.
Under the circumstances, the real star of the film is the young Rudolf Nureyev. Perhaps because he was aware of the fact that he was not a "natural" Siegfried, -the part is usually the property of the "noble" dancers,- Nureyev makes an effort to behave in a more "prince-like" fashion, at least in the mime sections. Unfortunately that comes across as effeminate and his atrocious make-up makes things even worse.
Thank God, all that is quickly forgotten when he actually starts dancing. His solo moments exhibit the bravura and breath-taking ability which made him the most famous dancer of his time, while in his dancing with Fonteyn we witness that special chemistry that existed between the two of them. The connection is not like an electric current (as it has been described at times), but more like a warm glow that unites the couple in a partnership of love. I found it truly touching.

A civilising experience, 02 Aug 2002
It's true that the narration style of Prunella Scales is cool and restrained, but that is entirely in keeping with the tone of her script. The music sparkles, and The Nutcracker is full of memorable tunes that children warm to. Can it hold up against all the competition for kids' attention at Christmas? I think it probably can.

You need to hear this... you really do., 28 Apr 2008
This as hands down one of the most astonishing recordings I have ever heard. I bought it knowing a bit about tango, and a bit about Piazzolla, but regardless of that, this is incredible music. The music itself is gorgeous - dark, beautiful, ominous, brooding and deeply passionate. The playing is beyond compare - laser precise and yet at the same time gritty and rough. This is very much a band effort, and what a band - they swing, caress and whip up thunder.

Apparently this angered the tango purists in Argentina, as did much of Piazzollas output, and I can see why - this is modern, vital music, with clear influences from jazz, classical music and even the rush of punk. I must emphasise that you do not need to know much about tango to enjoy this, and also that this is so far removed from safe "world" music as to be in the next galaxy.

If you want to hear the raw emotional power and deep passion that music is capable of expressing, listen to this.

Wonderful contemporary composition and musicianship, 12 Jan 2006
Astor Piazzolla's music is the apotheosis of the tango as the toughest and most tender of all dance musics. It is the embodiment of Shostakovich's take on (jewish) folk music as expressing laughter through tears and despair through dance. Tango, tragedia, comedia, kilombo (whorehouse). Those four words that are repeated in the opening "tanguedia III" remain relevant for the album's duration... and yet, "tango zero hour" is so much more; it is the final touch of the ineffable that defines all great music and makes it accessible to all. With that in mind, it seems appropriate to cut this review short with one final encouragement to pick up this album as a wonderful example of contemporary composition and musicianship.

Absolutely stunning, 12 Jan 2006
THIS IS NOT YOUR GRANDFATHER'S TANGO..., ...but your father might have liked it, if he listened with an open mind. For me - this is absolutely one of the most stunning recordings I've ever heard. Piazzolla (bandoneón) and the musicians he assembled for this quintet (Fernando Suárez Paz, violin; Pablo Ziegler, piano; Horacio Malvicino, Sr., guitar; and Héctor Console, bass) gave the performances of their collective lifetimes when they made this album, recorded in NYC in May of 1986. It is the zenith of Piazzolla's career - and that's saying a lot, considering the contributions he made to music in his lifetime.

The music is nuevo tango - the traditional soul of tango, full of the emotion that it has always carried (and with which it carries its listeners and dancers), charged and reborn with all of the grit and grime that exists 'at street level'. Gosh - if the tangos we're used to hearing and seeing in the old films made your grandmother blush, this would most certainly put her on the floor in a dead faint. The music is intricately composed - but at the same time, it is FELT in the depths of the soul. There is nothing whatsoever cold and emotionless about it. The musicians themselves are of the highest caliber - some are classically trained, some have their roots in jazz, but they are all under the spell of Piazzolla's vision. The quiet passages purr and stroke the senses, the more strident ones will pick the listener up and toss them around. The music will make you want to close your eyes and drift away one moment, then have you sweating the next.

Piazzolla made one more recording with this group, LA CAMORRA, and one featuring some of the same players (but not all of them), THE ROUGH DANCER AND THE CYCLICAL NIGHT (based on a story by the great Argentinean literary master Jorge Luis Borges). These two are very, very good - but ZERO HOUR is his greatest.

A dark and different beat, 09 Aug 2000
I thought I'd get sunny Latin rhythms for dancing about to in my living room... but this is dark and intriguing music. There are fast pieces with that classic, off-the-beat tango rhythm on accordian, but laced with a sinister-sounding violin accompaniment. Plus slow and melancholy tunes with piano and guitar, strange harmonies. Too dark for a dinner party, but if you want to encounter something new in world music, try this out.

Naxos have found an excellent way of bringing these ballet scores to a new audience, and have produced an ideal stocking-filler into the bargain. The highlights from these two popular ballet suites have been chosen, and each number prefaced with an entertaining chunk of narration. The tales are told simply and straightforwardly, with Brian Cant wisely underplaying the panto elements in the two stories. His avuncular, warm voice is ideal for the material and the dramatic switches between the narration and music are handled very well. The only minor quibble is in the difference in acoustic between the orchestral sound and the spoken--but it is not overly worrying. The two orchestras both produce crisp and energetic accounts of the suites. Mogrelia avoids any hint of sentimentality in the Tchaikovsky with quick tempi and clear, detached string playing and Kuchar draws some impressive effects from the Ukranian orchestra in Cinderella, especially in the famous "midnight strikes" sequence. This is a must for music-loving children, and young-at-heart adults alike. --Warwick Thompson

The very best, 13 Dec 2008
It's hard to get excited about this music, most of it played to death on Classic FM. However, the quality of the performances and the recordings are so exemplary I could enjoy these all over again.

Buy these even if you have the music already. You really owe your collection this CD.

Detail you just dont hear elsewhere!, 11 Oct 2007
One might have thought that the Ballet suites have been recorded too many times, for anyone to get excited about 'another' recording! In truth these are fabulous performances, with inner detail that I have to say I haven't heard in any other recordings! At an incredibly low price, I urge anyone thinking of buying a recording of the suites to look no further.
A superb cellist and wonderful conductor, golly how we will miss him!

Outstanding Tchaikovsky disc, 23 Oct 2003
Outstanding versions of Tchaikovsky’s three popular ballet suites. The Berlin Philharmonic is in glowing form and Mstislav Rostropovich on the rostrum sounds inspired as none else. Warmly and dynamically recorded, with plenty of orchestral detail, this thrilling disc may stand as a criterion from the analogue era.
If you only need the suites, or if you think this music no longer holds any surprises for you, this is the CD to go for. Highly recommended.

Gergiev's complete Nutcracker is tops, 17 Jun 2007
Of all the recordings by Gergiev I own, I feel more than ready to consider this among his more pleasing efforts. Gergiev brings a new perspective to this well-worn Tchaiokvsy chestnut, such that it is given a more robust performance than typically given during the myriad of Christmas ballet productions. From the lightness of the overture to the weighty grandeur of the finale, Gergiev ably fleshes out the contrasting moods in the score. Adopting generally brisk speeds, he adopts continuity yet still churns out a magical performance for one to revel in the many felicities of the score. Now, these brisk seeds are not as rushed as many people might think, but they really make the ballet lilt and trip along without sounding clunky like most other recordings of the work. The dramatic mood is suitably conveyed in the transformation scene, and the many famous dances in the Suite are given crisp, robust readings. The two Pas de deux scenes and the various Waltzes convey a stately grandeur, especially during the Waltz of the Flowers. Yet there is also a delicacy in the Sugarplum Fairy's Dance, the Arabian Dance and the Dance of the Reed Pipes. Throughout Gergiev elicits a robust sound from the Kirov Orchestra, with a fine balance between the sections, except perhaps for the wobbly Russian brass. The Philips recording is superb, one of their best recent recordings, sumptuous yet clean and well-detailed. An added bonus is the fact that this Nutcracker only takes up one CD rather than two. Highly highly recommended, especially since this fresh and robust rendition seems destined to put other Nutcrackers to shame. Don't let the bad reviews discourage you - this is a crackling, energetic Nutcracker that really lends a new lease of life to this overplayed ballet.

well...it's no where near as good as the u.s. marine band..., 02 Jun 2006
I've only just graduated from high school where I played in the school's symphonic winds band. But there are things that I learned that this group should have taken heed to. Although they play with amazing speed and alacrity, sometimes a fast tempo just isn't that impressive. Especially if the piece is supposed to be admired for other more aesthetical aspects. The ensemble, don't get me wrong, is filled with very talented players. However, this recording, where there's enthusiasm, there's also a lack of musicality. I'll just focus on the one part "Presents of the Drosselmeyer". This movement is my favorite (on the London Philharmonic Orchestra recording), but I was highly disappointed when I heard it on this CD. The tone was too fanfare-ish...too much trumpet. The tempo was way way way too fast. And because of the too-fast tempo, the bassoon solo at the end of the song (playing the same melody that the upper strings and woodwinds play at the beginning) is not enjoyable. The overall tone of the group could have been improved by...well...more bottom (bass, tuba, etc), less top (trumpet...). Tempo? Well, that's all up to the artistic interpretation of the conductor...which in this case was very wrong.
I'm glad that I borrowed this CD instead of actually buying it.

Slow Down!, 13 Jan 2006
This is too fast. I wonder whether any of it was artificially speeded up to fit it on one CD. With digital technology a piece can be speeded up with no change of pitch. To me, the attack and decay of the notes sometimes sounds unnatural. Maybe I'm mistaken, but if the attack/decay is sometimes accelerated this would confirm the presence of technological tinkering. I'm sure this Orchestra can play fast, but to me the effect is comic and a bit disturbing, even if part of me can appreciate the technical feat. Really this music is better enjoyed at more humane and indulged tempos. And I really don't believe they play it this fast for real performances, it is totally undanceable.

Two into One won't go...., 02 Feb 2005
Firstly the strengths ....the recorded sound is excellent and the music is played with energy, brilliance and musicality. But there's no way that you could dance to this...unless you're a whirling dervish...yet Tchaikovsky composed/fashioned the music with that in mind. I had heard a couple of excerpts from the disc before I went ahead and bought it and I'd hoped the faster tempi wouldn't matter ...but it does... the score is whizzed-through like a shot out of a gun. I can imagine all the whittling-down, second by second that must've gone on behind the scenes in the recording studio, to get the ballet squashed onto one disc. There's hardly a pause in the relentless progress of the music from one track to the next & from the beginning to the end of the disc....and this affects the 'integrity' of the music as a result. 'Pauses' matter.
If you're new to this music & haven't seen the music danced-to, then maybe this all won't matter so much but if you've been touched by Tchaikovsky's magical score where there was time to reflect and enjoy the unfolding pagaent of melody within a dance scenario, then my recommendation is to buy a different interpretation.

Superb, 24 Apr 2003
I was a little apprehensive about buying this CD, as you can buy a boxed set of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty for not a great deal more. However, as I already owned the Seiji Ozawa performance of Swan Lake (another excellent CD), I decided to continue to buy them separately.

I could not have made a better choice.

This CD is, in a word, superb. It is the whole ballet, rather than the extracts found on many other CDs. Although I am not a particular conneseur of clasical music, to me this performance is full of energy and excitement, and I could not possibly fault it. The sound quality is exceptional - perfectly reproduced with no hissing, clicks or buzzes.

This is an essential purchase for anybody who enjoys Tchikovsky's ballets, if not every classical music fan.

wow!, 22 Jul 2001
This is one piece of music is revolutionary. Instead of harmony or "tune" as it's content it uses rhythm. Primeval and dark it shows the picture of the tradition rite of spring Stravinsky was trying to show. This is ballet at it's best and at it's most raw. I cannot recommend this music enough. This forms a sort of bridge between the romantic era and the modern movement. Mix this music with works such as Picasso or even impressionists as Renoir washed down with buckets of absinthe and you will see what a revolution in sound and vision (plus resolve!) was going on. What are you doing you are reading on you should be buying this stop reading the review goes pretty boring from now on trust me! And for those not familiar with the ballet this was the music from the dinosaur bit in fantasia!

truncated version of a beautiful ballet, 20 Mar 2008
Dancers fabulous as usual, but unfortunately the original full length ballet has been severely cut, (to 78 minutes, for goodness sake) missing out a great many of the set pieces and therefore not showing to its best advantage. The missing scenes are wonderful to watch. I did have the full version originally and wish I could obtain it again.

Thrown away with the houshold rubbish, 22 Sep 2007
An attempt to make a story film for children. I have broken the DVD and thrown it out with the other American Ballet DVD with the rest of the houshold rubbish so nobody else gets mislead on what this great ballet should be. I am sure that some of the other productions on sale will appeal to all from age 3 to 110. The ballet plots by themselves are nothing unless the emphasis is on a great performance! Any magic there was has been lost by gimmiks in filming and props.

Mediocre, 20 Mar 2007
This Nutcracker was filmed for TV, using dancers from the American Ballet Theater. The big name was of course Baryshnikov, who had recently come to the West.
The whole production is second rate, mostly because of lack of imagination rather than lack of resources. Sets and costumes look dull and the direction generates no excitement whatsoever.
The corps-de-ballet is mediocre, but most of the solo dancing is very good.
Baryshnikov makes a great start. His scene as the Nutcracker is wonderful for the mechanical percision of his movements, but once the mask is off, his Narcissism gets the upper hand. He dances "alone", trying to seduce the camera rather than his partner. Great dancing, but it failled to enchant me.
The opposite is true of his co-star, the lovely Gelsey Kirkland. In the beginning I was struck by how child-like she seemed. As the performance progressed I was enthralled by her grace and charm. She was a real "floater", -you think she barely touched the ground when she danced,- and she had a beautiful sense of "flowing" with the music. If I were rating her performance, I would give it 5 stars without hesitation. I think this dvd is worth viewing for her alone.

Good, 09 Jan 2007
Basically I would think this is for Nutcracker nuts only. Its great but comes in the middle somewhere of all the ones Ive seen. It was filmed for TV and I think things are best when it is filmed with a live audience in a theatre. Thats just my thought. How ever at the start you see Barishnykovs fantastic skill in Slow motion, a pre highlight before the start and performing his jumps with the greatest of ease effortless. What he must have been like when he was excelling himself must have been out of this world. I would say for Nutcracker nuts only but still recommended. I like his Don quitoxe best for seeing his dancing.

comparison , 15 Nov 2007
NO VERSION CAN COMPARE WITH KIROV. MY FAVOURITE IS MAKHALINA AND ZAKLINSKY. BOLSHOI A CLOSE SECOND THE ROYAL BALLET VERSION IS NOT ONE OF MY PREFERRED VERSIONS.EVEN THE 1966 KIROV VERSION IS BETTER THAN NURYEVS VERSION.

Dreadful Production , 05 Aug 2007
The cor d'ballet is awful. The costumes and sets are atrocious. The choreography (Nureyev's variation is bizzare and troublesome). Yes young Nureyev dances with bravura and as a historical record one might want to watch these moments, but to view the whole DVD is a painful and tedious experience. There are much better versions available; my favorite is The Royal Ballet version with Markova and Anthony Dowell. Avoid this version.

Nureyev's Prince Siegfried, 08 Mar 2007
I first saw this film of Tchaikovsky's ballet when I was a kid. Back then, I had found it enchanting. Watching it again, when it was first issued on dvd, I felt quite disappointed. Re-viewing it now, -a little more objectively, I think,- I find enough reasons to recommend it, though I would not suggest that this should be anybody's first or one-and-only Swan Lake.
First of all, this is a film, made in a studio and meant to be seen on a very large screen. The spectacle is much less impressive on a TV screen, -even a large one. This becomes particularly annoying whenever Fonteyn is dancing. Being much older than her co-star, the ballerina had asked for no close-ups, hoping to appear more youthful when filmed from a distance. Still, on the big screen you could see her face and expressions clearly. On a Tv screen most of the time you have to guess.
To continue with the shortcomings, the corps de ballet employed comes from the Vienna State Opera and is definitely second-rate. There are some fine moments here and there, but mostly things are average or even less than that.
I've allready mentioned that Fonteyn was past her prime when this film was made and the choreography was, understandably, adapted so as not to expose her declining abilities. There are still some weak moments, especially in the 2nd act. Her movements are generally slower and her balance seems to be somewhat insecure, but overall the emphasis is placed on her elegance, style and fascinating personality, -all of which are very much in evidence. Combine that with the dancing you see in her older films (in different parts, as no other Swan Lake of hers has been preserved, as far as I know,) and you can understand what a marvellous Odete she must have been in the 1950s.
Under the circumstances, the real star of the film is the young Rudolf Nureyev. Perhaps because he was aware of the fact that he was not a "natural" Siegfried, -the part is usually the property of the "noble" dancers,- Nureyev makes an effort to behave in a more "prince-like" fashion, at least in the mime sections. Unfortunately that comes across as effeminate and his atrocious make-up makes things even worse.
Thank God, all that is quickly forgotten when he actually starts dancing. His solo moments exhibit the bravura and breath-taking ability which made him the most famous dancer of his time, while in his dancing with Fonteyn we witness that special chemistry that existed between the two of them. The connection is not like an electric current (as it has been described at times), but more like a warm glow that unites the couple in a partnership of love. I found it truly touching.

A civilising experience, 02 Aug 2002
It's true that the narration style of Prunella Scales is cool and restrained, but