The nutcracker

"For the authentic Russian sound, at once warm and raw, turn to Vladimir Jurowski and the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia Evgeny Svetlanov. Their Nutcracker ... certainly has the rough edges and whoops moments of a live performance. Yet there's no one better at handling the storytelling and dramatic architecture than Jurowski. Energy, colour, fantasy, bravura win out in this festive masterpiece. Get on your dancing shoes".

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"Vurdering: Ugens cd" - "Tjajkovskij var en genial orkestrator, og i Nøddeknækkeren overgår han sig selv. I de mange karakterdanse tryller han med orkesterfarverne, der bliver en meget vigtig del af eventyrstemningen ... Simon Rattle har taget tyren ved hornene og indspillet den komplette ballet. Og her hører man ikke kun strålende orkesterbehandling ... ".

"A refined reading, as highly polished as a Fabergé egg. The State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia 'Evgeny Svetlanov' sounds far better disciplined than its older, more brazen days as the USSR State Symphony. There are times when I'd have welcomed a little more misbehaviour, but Jurowski is a strict master. Everything is neat as a pin in the dainty Overture and the March clips along tidily".

"Bei Vladimir Jurowskis Aufnahme von Peter Tschaikowskys 'Nussknacker'-Ballett - es spielt das fabelhaft bissfest und streichersamtene Staatliche Akademische Symphonieorchester 'Evgeny Svetlanov' - wird aus dem prüfenden Anspielen unversehens eine atemlose 86-Minuten-Sitzung ... Als Operndirigent bedenkt er in jedem Takt das Szenische, die ausdrucksvolle Plastizität eines Tänzerschritt ... Ansonsten ist man hingerissen von Vitalität, nostalgischem Pathos".

"Time and time again, the music's magic is reduced to tired parlour tricks, its sharply pointed adventure to humdrum commotion, its more narrative passages to mere vamping ... Granted, there are som delightful moments ... Not recommended".

"The avoidance of Romantic overkill which works so well for Pletnev in a score like Prokofiev's Cinderella makes for less satisfying results here. I was in truth underwhelmed".

"Pletnev's direction is strong, clear-sighted and unsentimental ... serves up plenty high of drama but rather less in the way of passion. Still, admirers of Pletnev and his remarkable band will find much to relish".

"They play this score with a panache and imagination that holds the listener enthralled".

"Järvi's recording is certainly a recommendable introduction to the score, even if Gergiev's Kirov Orchestra exhibits greater flair and drama".