BaL 21.12.19 - Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker

[Alison]

... almost as crass as his coy simpering, over whether Jurowski would forgive him for two-timing with Gergiev!

Your point about choosing ballet music performances for home listening, as opposed to the quasi-theatrical experience, is very well made. Mr S. followed the last BaL on the subject in crowning Gergiev (though he carefully avoiding playing the worst bits, which are horribly manic). Some reviewers we learn to trust, others...

As I said earlier, I recently took possession of the ROH Ermler recording, which I've enjoyed. It squares the circle of home listening and theatricality rather nicely, even if it lacks the subtler magics of the old Previn, Ansermet or Dorati (2nd) versions. Not that either Ermler or Ansermet got a look in today: one reason I tend to be wary of Edward Seckerson's choices is that - like Edward Greenfield in his latter years - he's often fervent in lauding rather ordinary recent recordings (whether he's met the conductor or not) over well-matured classics.

Well said Master. And I like Concertgebouw/Dorati very much too.

[kernelbogey]

The 'winning version' promised in full on Reord Review Extra on Sunday night 2030.

[Nick Armstrong]

Painful to hear again.

The whole show was a bit of a shambles. Can’t blame them I suppose.

But the repeat BALs are very boring... (will be avoiding this one, like a number of the others)