The Nutcracker - Strange Enchantments
Think The Nutcracker is a super-saccharine classic for the feelgood season? Think again. But don't let its dark undertones spoil your enjoyment of a balletic masterpiece.
Think of The Nutcracker as a super-saccharine classic for the feel-good season? Think again. Is everything really all sweetness and light in the world of sugar-plum fairy? No! But don't let the tale's dark undertones spoil your enjoyment of the wonderful music.
Tom Service tears the gaudy wrapping paper from Tchaikovsky's balletic masterpiece to remind us you don't always get what you want. Behind the tinsel and fluffy snowflakes lies a story imbued with darkness and death. But maybe that is the secret of its unfading allure and beauty.
Tom is joined by Marina Frolova-Walker and Peggy Reynolds to crack the most popular nut in the repertoire.
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Music Played
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker - Overture
Performer: Mariinsky Orchestra. Performer: Valery Gergiev.- Philips ClassicsΒ .
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker - Chinese Dance
Performer: Mariinsky Orchestra. Performer: Valery Gergiev.- Philips ClassicsΒ .
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Performer: Mariinsky Orchestra. Performer: Valery Gergiev.- Philips ClassicsΒ .
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Snowflakes
Performer: Mariinsky Orchestra. Performer: Valery Gergiev.- Philips Classics.
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker - Russian Dance
Performer: Mariinsky Orchestra. Performer: Valery Gergiev.- Philips Classics.
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Performer: Mariinsky Orchestra. Performer: Valery Gergiev.- Philips Classics.
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Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky arr. Ellington/ Strayhorn
The Nutcracker Suite - Sugar Rum Cherry
Performer: Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.- °δ΄Η±τ³ά³Ύ²ϊΎ±²ΉΜύ?.
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Iolanata - Atchevo eta prezhde ne znala
Performer: Anna Netrebko. Performer: Mariinsky Orchestra. Performer: Valery Gergiev.- DG.
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker - Arabian Dance
Performer: Mariinsky Orchestra. Performer: Valery Gergiev.- Philips Classics.
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker - Departure of the Guests
Performer: Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre. Performer: Alexander Vedernikov.- Pentatone.
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Performer: Mariinsky Orchestra. Performer: Valery Gergiev.- Philips Classics.
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker (Pas de deux)
Orchestra: Mariinsky Orchestra. Conductor: Valery Gergiev.- Philips Classics.
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Performer: Mariinsky Orchestra. Performer: Valery Gergiev.- Philips Classics.
Broadcasts
- Sun 30 Dec 2018 17:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
- Fri 20 Dec 2019 16:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
- Sun 5 Dec 2021 17:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
- Fri 8 Dec 2023 16:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
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The Listening Service
An odyssey through the musical universe, presented by Tom Service
