Musicbox plays"Nutcracker Suite" from the Ballet by Tchaikovsky

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Release Date: August 15, 1992

Larissa Lezhnina

THE NUTCRACKER IS A Christmas tradition, and for most children it is their introduction to ballet. Here, in one beautifully illustrated book, is the story of the ballet and a 78-minute CD of Tchaikovsky’s music performed by theUtah Symphony Orchestra. Stephanie Spinner has written a brief, lyrical text about the little girl, Maria, and her Christmas gift of a wooden nutcracker doll who is transformed into a young prince. Together they fly to the Land of Sweets where the Sugar Plum Fairy entertains them with lively and exotic dances from around the world. Peter Malone's exquisite illustrations capture all the magic of the beloved Christmastime ballet.

The Russian State Symphony Orchestra presents their version of the classic Nutcracker Suite on this album. Tchaikovsky's original music is fantastic, truly a wonderful composition that is given the proper respect by the orchestra. Although this may only appeal to fans of the ballet itself (or at least classical music fans), this is still a good rendition of a holiday tradition. ~ Bradley Torreano

A great composer comes to life in this vivid, exciting story of Peter Tchaikovsky, a young man driven by his genius through the early years of his career and on to enviable success and world recognition. Peter's unhappy apprenticeship in law ended when he absentmindedly nibbled on and ruined an important legal document. If his family considered his failure a disgrace, to Peter it was an omen. Now he was free to pursue and perhaps capture the music that sang in his head. When he left St. Petersburg to teach in Moscow, he took the first decisive step on his colorful road to fame. But success did not come easily, and Peter learned to endure the hard pinch of poverty before the wealthy Madame von Meck became his patroness, providing him with a generous income. Always enchanted with the world of childhood and far more at ease in it than in the more demanding world of adults, Peter began to write ballets for his sister Alexandra's children. The Sleeping Beauty was followed by Swan Lake, and finally he created The Nutcracker Ballet, which assured his place in the hearts of children and adults alike. Opal Wheeler writes with happy and intimate warmth, portraying a great man as appealingly human, and presenting simple piano arrangements of six of his most familiar, best-loved compositions.

The Nutcracker was recorded by the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra at Skywalker Sound in Marin, CA in 1988, and was self-produced cooperatively by members of the orchestra. The idea was conceived by Donald O'Brien, who was principal clarinetist with the orchestra for 30 years, and who was the executive producer for this recording. LINER NOTES: The Nutcracker is perhaps the most familiar and best loved music of Peter. I. Tchaikovsky. His score was written as a ballet and based on the popular French version by Alexander Dumas of the E.T.A. Hoffman story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King." The premiere of the ballet was in St. Petersburg on December 17, 1892. The San Francisco Ballet presented the first full-length production of the Nutcracker in the United States in December of 1944. Almost 100 years after its premiere, the Nutcracker still remains a beloved ballet favorite and has become a cherished family celebration at Christmas time.

Miyako Yoshida, Steven McRea, Gary Avis, Iohna Loots, and Richardo Cervera are featured in this 2009 Royal Ballet production of the Tchaikovsky ballet conducted by Koen Kessels.

Release Date: November 18, 2008

Release Date: December 02, 2008