Description: With the success of the Sleeping Beauty behind him, Tchaikovsky was approached for another ballet. As on the previous occasion, the subject was not of his choice, but this time it proved to be one he did not particularly care for. Commissioned in 1891, the text came from the Dumas version of a story by E. T. A. Hoffmann, The Nutcracker and the King of the Mice. Tchaikovsky was not very happy with the final result of The Nutcracker, and the ballet was never to attain the success which was later accorded to a concert suite of excerpts from the original score. This is one of the few works that finds Tchaikovsky in a light-hearted mood-a mood of delight and wonder in a child's fanciful world. It commences with a Miniature Overture. Two gay themes are presented in the violins, the second of which is reinforced with a pizzicato accompaniment from the remaining strings. In the March that follows, a pert melody is evoked from the clarinets, horns and trumpets. It contains a trio whose main subject is a staccato theme divided between the strings and woodwinds. In the Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy, we witness the introduction of the celesta, which Tchaikovsky dis- covered in Paris in 1891, into the family of symphonic instruments. Then we are treated to a variety of dances. The first is a rhythmically exciting Trepak, followed by an exotic Arab Dance with a langorous melody played by the clarinet in low register. A Chinese Dance begins with a capricious subject in the flute and piccolo. In the Dance of the Flutes, contrast is provided by an idea given to the trumpet. The closing section of this, Tchaikovsky's last major work, is the famous Waltz of the Flowers. The lilting waltz appears in the horns and is extended by the clarinets. A second subject is presented by the strings and still a third in the clarinets. After each of these auxiliary themes, the principal waltz motif is repeated. There is scarcely a ballet company in the world which does not include the second act of Swan Lake in its repertoire. And with good reason, for seldom have magnificent music and dramatic, dancing been so happily united as in this ballet. Tchaikovsky did not live to enjoy its success. The score, which he con- sidered to represent a very high point in symphonic ballet composition, was completed in Moscow in 1877, and unfortunately fell into the hands of an in- competent choreographer, who could do no better than fill the four acts with simple pantomine and all the technical tricks which his ballerina wished to have included for her own glory. The performance gained the very reverse of glory, and Tchaikovsky was bitterly disappointed. It was not until after his death, when a memorial festival was held in St. Petersburg in 1894, that the second act's now famous choreography was created by Lev Ivanov. The resulting success induced Ivanov's director, the great Petipa, to collaborate with Ivanov in bringing new life to the remaining three acts. And so, 18 years after its first performance, Swan Lake finally appeared in the version in which we know it today. The choreography by Petipa and Ivanov has endured because it is artistically equal to the dramatic score, and because it attains a moving and sincere expressiveness that appeals to all ages and nationalities. It is the ex- pression of a love so pure that it cannot exist between mortals, the love that binds Prince Siegfried to the enchanted Princess Odette, who by day is Queen of the Swans, and can only appear at night in her human form. The excerpts on this record show us some of the highlights from this majestic score. Tchaikovsky and his collaborators have created, as Shakespeare did in Romeo and Juliet, an incomparable monument to ideal love. Vinyl Record Album Cleaned And Tested eBay Store spinplay67
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Release Year: 1959
Artist: TCHAIKOVSKY
Record Label: PHILIPS
Occasion: NA
Case Type: Cardboard Sleeve
Fidelity Level: Full-Range
MPN: G 03192 L
Vinyl Matrix Number: GL 5746
Inlay Condition: Good (G)
Format: Record
Record Grading: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Language: English
Style: Suite
Record Size: 12"
Features: Original Cover, Original Inner Sleeve
Performer Orchestra: VIENNA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Unit Quantity: 1
Number of Audio Channels: Quad
Speed: 33 RPM
Composer: TCHAIKOVSKY
Release Title: PHILIPS CLASSICAL FAVOURITES
Color: Black
Material: Vinyl
Catalog Number: 697 004 1L
Edition: First Pressing, First Edition
California Prop 65 Warning: NA
Type: LP
Sleeve Grading: Good (G)
Producer: NA
Era: Classical: Romantic (1815-1910)
Instrument: Accordian, Acoustic Guitar, Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Flute, French Horn, Harp, Horn, Mandolin, Oboe, Organ, Piano, Percussion, Saxophone, Tambourine, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Ukulele, Viola, Violin, Voice
Conductor: KAREL ANCERL
Genre: Classical
Run Time: Unknown
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
