Complete Nutcracker - a perspective - PorkPieHat

Music Lane

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Complete Nutcracker - a perspective

I put up a post awhile back asking for input towards buying the complete Nutcracker on CD in time for Christmas. I received a number of very helpful recommendations: Gergiev, Mackerras and Previn among them. I was originally considering Gergiev and Mackerras, but had one good comment about the Previn (LSO) and found I could get it in a box set that included the Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. I love Swan Lake and the Nutcracker both.
I went for the Previn/LSO box set; I bought it from amazon, who was a AA sponsor at the time (and, who I believe, still is). I was asked by a respected member to give my thoughts. Here they are...
Firstly, I am not an educated musician so I can only say that I find it musically pleasing. I can't say that I found it more pleasing than the others because I may not have ever heard them. I can only say that I have heard the Nutcracker many, many times live, on recordings (analog and digital) and over the radio, and I like this one as much as any I have heard. Not an educated rating, but take it for what it is worth. I have seen the Nutcracker performed twice live, once by the Bolshoi, and once by the National Ballet of Canada (both at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa) and I love this ballet. There is something about it that resonates within me.
Secondly, I feel that I can comment on the quality of the CD, which is ADD. I have come to expect the best from EMI, amd I have not been disappointed. For me, I can tell a good rendition of the Nutcracker from the first and third movements. If it hasn't screeched, blotched or just plain gotten congested by then, I am happy. Maybe not the highest of standards, but good enough for me and my humble system. I am not going to say that it is better than a very good analog system might be able to produce, nor that it is better than a DDD CD might be. I can only say that the mastering did not detract from my enjoyment of this wonderful piece of music.
Anyways, that's my 2 cents. Thanks to all those who responded to my original post. If there is anyone out there with a magnificent system who can fill in the blanks I have left, please feel free to do so.

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Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. (Abraham Lincoln)

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Topic - Complete Nutcracker - a perspective - PorkPieHat 12:44:35 11/12/06 (4)

I am glad it made you happy. - sser2 13:47:10 11/13/06 (2)

Re: I am glad it made you happy. - PorkPieHat 02:39:50 11/14/06 (1)

For simple reason. - sser2 13:10:04 11/14/06 (1)

No one needs to be an "educated musician" to - markrohr 08:13:00 11/13/06 (0)

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