1955 The Nutcracker Ballet Tchaikovsky Minneapolis Symphony 2-LP Record Album
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Description
1955 The Nutcracker Ballet Tchaikovsky Minneapolis Symphony 2-LP Record Album
Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker Op. 71 Complete Ballet - 2 LP Record Set in Book / Album
Antal Dorati conducting the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra
See video for sound sample.
Records Grade per Goldmine Standard: VG
ACT I Tableau 1: The fairy tale atmosphere of this delightful work is established at once by the familiar strains of the Overture Miniature. The curtain rises to show the living room of Town Council President Silberhaus and his wife, who are busy with preparations for a Christmas Eve party for their children and neighbors. The guests soon begin to arrive, and the Christmas tree candles are festively lighted. The children come in for the presentation of their gifts, and the music breaks into the gay yet ceremonious March, so well-known from the Nutcracker Suite. The parents join in the merriment, and there is a Galop for all the children, plus a sort of “polonaise” for the elders, played simultaneously. Councilor Drosselmeyer, a kindly old man, then enters, bringing with him the most wonderful presents of all—among which are four life-sized dolls dressed as Harle- quin, Columbine, a Soldier and a Vivandiere, whose mechanical clockwork enables them to dance. They do a Waltz and Russian Dance for the delighted children. To Clara, daughter of the house, Drosselmeyer gives, in addition, a charmingly grotesque Nutcracker whose face is that of a man and which can crack nuts very effi- ciently, indeed. Clara is completely enchanted with the toy. Clara’s brother, Franz, and the other boys are jealous, however. They snatch the Nutcracker away from her, and in the course of their rough-housing (Tchaikovsky calls for the use of children’s toy instruments here), the precious gift is broken. Greatly distressed and in tears, Clara recovers her Nutcracker, and cares for it as one might for an injured loved one. A tender lullaby follows, twice interrupted by the mis- chievous boys with their trumpets and drums. At last, the signal is given for the tradi- tional Grossvater (Grandfather) Dance, which means the end of the party and bedtime for the children. As the stage grows dark, lighted only by the lovely glow of the tree ornaments, Clara is restless and cannot sleep for worry over her beloved Nutcracker. She creeps downstairs, and as the clock strikes midnight, she hears the rustle of mice. To her amazement and before her very eyes, the Christmas tree grows enormous in size, and Clara sees the toy soldiers and animals suddenly come to life {vide the ballet La Boutique Fantasque arranged by Respighi from music of Rossini). A toy soldier sen- tinel has heard the approaching mice, and after calling out “Who goes there! fires his rifle (here the score calls for a gunshot) to alarm the sleeping camp. A tremendous battle develops between the mice, led by the Mouse King, and the toys which, after having sprung to life, arc under the generalship of the Nutcracker. At the moment of crisis, when it looks as though the king of the Mice will win out over the Nutcracker in single combat, Clara hurls her slipper—and destroys the Mouse King. Suddenly there is a miraculous transformation; and the Nutcracker becomes a handsome Prince, who with all ceremony, tenders Clara an invitation to his Kingdom of Sweets...
LP61
price rating
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