Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops - Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Favorite Selections

Nutcracker Selections Indeed.

This new SACD of Selections from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker from Erich Kunzel and the Cinncinati Pops sounds wonderful, if you like selections that is. The Cinncinati Pops play the pieces quite well, and Erich Kunzel conducts at a reasonably pleasing tempo, not too slow, not too fast. Telarc as usual provides a full clean sound and plenty of presence in the
soundstage. The only complaint I have with this recordinig is that they should have gone ahead and recorded the entire work. It is annoying to hear this work with many parts missing. Although the parts you do get to hear are very well played. I cannot help but be remimded of the classic recordings of Fiedler and the Boston Pops, and Ormandy and the Philadelphis Orchestra. I guess Telarc did not want to compete with their recording by Mackerras and the LSO. Finally I prefer these performances to the ones of the complete ballet on the Pentatone Label. This disc sounds so much better than that set. February 17, 2008

SACD quality - the real thing!

This is an SACD recorded live and a true DSD. You could not want for more unless your system is not up to par with true sound reproduction! December 27, 2007

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