London Symphony Orchestra Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker CD

The Nutcracker, first seen in 1892, recounts the magical Christmas Eve of young Clara. Her adventures in the company of an enchanted prince inspired Tchaikovsky to such spellbinding numbers as the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Waltz of the Flowers and a sparkling series of national dances. In describing himself in an interview as "a complete romantic", Andr? Previn suggested just why his recordings of Tchaikovsky's three great ballet scores, made in the 1970s with the London Symphony Orchestra, have become classics of the catalogue. In their sweep, colour and surging emotion, they exemplify the spirit of late Romanticism, the musical aesthetic at the heart of Previn's repertoire. Over his 11 years as Principal Conductor of the LSO (1968-1979) he and his musicians became something of a media phenomenon, notably with their own series on BBC television, which helped to draw full houses for their concerts in London and on tour.

1. The Nutcracker, Op. 71: Miniature Overture 2. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 1, Scene 1: No. 1, Decoration of the Christmas Tree 3. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 1, Scene 1: No. 2, March 4. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 1, Scene 1: No. 3, Children's Galop and Entry of the Parents 5. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 1, Scene 1: No. 4, Dancing Scene. Arrival of Drosselmeyer 6. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 1, Scene 1: No. 5, Grandfather Dance 7. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 1, Scene 1: No. 6, Clara and the Nutcracker 8. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 1, Scene 1: No. 7, the Battle 9. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 1, Scene 2: No. 8, in the Pine Forest 10. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 1, Scene 2: No. 9, Waltz of the Snowflakes 11. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 10, the Kingdom of Sweets 12. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 11, Clara and the Prince 13. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 12A, Divertissement. Chocolate, Spanish Dance 14. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 12B, Divertissement. Coffee, Arabian Dance 15. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 12C, Divertissement. Tea, Chinese Dance 16. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 12D, Divertissement. Trepak, Russian Dance 17. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 12E, Divertissement. Dance of the Reed Pipes 18. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 12F, Divertissement. Mother Gigogne 19. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 13, Waltz of the Flowers 20. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 14A, Pas de Deux. Andante Maestoso 21. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 14B, Pas de Deux. Variation I "Tarantella" 22. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 14C, Pas de Deux. Variation II "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy ; Coda" 23. The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: No. 15, Final Waltz ; Apotheosis