After the tremendous success of Swan Lake, Vladimir Jurowski and the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia “Evgeny Svetlanov” continue their Tchaikovksy ballet series on PENTATONE with this recording of The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky’s enchanting masterpiece is an absolute audience favourite, thanks to hits such as the Waltz of the Flowers, Trepak and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, but also due to the composer’s ability to evoke a sense of wonder in listeners both young and old. Vladimir Jurowski and his players tell this story about the power of fantasy with unprecedented zeal, demonstrating the symphonic refinement and orchestral brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s score. The Nutcracker offers the third PENTATONE release of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia “Evgeny Svetlanov” together with its Artistic Director Vladimir Jurowski, after Prokofiev Symphonies 2 & 3 (2017) and Swan Lake (2018). Jurowski has recorded extensively for PENTATONE and is generally seen as one of the most prominent conductors of his generation.
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REVIEW:
Jurowski account rivals and generally surpasses Gergiev for a single-disc choice. It has the full range of detail and nuance that a great conductor can draw from an orchestra. The action in act I is vividly dramatic, and even a sedate episode like “The Nutcracker and Grandfather Dance” is interrupted by startling shrieks or bird calls I’ve never heard before. The battle with the Mouse King feels like serious combat, and throughout, the transparent recorded sound provides access to every instrumental color in Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score.
