I'm not much for ballet music myself (apart from the ballet performance), but my wife is growing increasingly interested in the music. Are there any large ballet sets with good performances that would give her a bunch of stuff to sample from (i.e., in addition to the obvious Tchaikovsky, Adam, Delibes, et al.)?
Don't have any recommendations fitting those criteria, unfortunately, but remember to include Ravel's Daphnis as well as this:
(http://www.naxosdirect.com/templates/shared/images/titles/largest/730099800525.jpg)
Quote from: XB-70 Valkyrie on April 22, 2008, 09:42:11 PM
Are there any large ballet sets with good performances that would give her a bunch of stuff to sample from (i.e., in addition to the obvious Tchaikovsky, Adam, Delibes, et al.)?
Prokofiev wrote fine ballets, particulary
Romeo and Juliet and
Cinderella. Outstanding performances by Maazel and Cleveland in the former, Ashkenazy and Cleveland in the latter.
Sarge
http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//4685782.htm
(http://www.mdt.co.uk/public/pictures/products/standard/4685782.jpg)
the rca budget box of tchikovsky ballets with slatkin/st. louis is very enjoyable.
dj
As recommended to me on these forums a while back, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake in a magical recording by Ozawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41MF1BHH6FL._SL160_AA115_.jpg)
Quote from: James on April 23, 2008, 11:35:17 AM
Some essentials worth checking out...
Stravinsky:
- Firebird
- Rite of Spring
- Petrouchka
- Pulcinella
- Les Noces
- Apollo
- Orpheus
- Agon
Ravel:
Bartok:
Great recommendations! I only like ballets from 1900 onwards. The list above are all my favorites!
Quote from: springrite on April 27, 2008, 01:07:28 PM
Great recommendations! I only like ballets from 1900 onwards. The list above are all my favorites!
No love for Khachaturian? :'(
Quote from: stingo on April 27, 2008, 01:01:12 PM
As recommended to me on these forums a while back, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake in a magical recording by Ozawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41MF1BHH6FL._SL160_AA115_.jpg)
The discography of COMPLETE Swan Lakes on cd is appaling. And i have no idea why. This particular Ozawa recording suffers in precision and rhythmic drive, i wouldn't recommend it, but yeah...believe it or not, there are very very little choices compared to say, the Nutcracker. Fortunately, we have the dvd format and most of the better Swan Lakes are in that format. I haven't heard Dorati's Minnesota recording but judging from his Concertgebouw recordings, which are some of the most beau-ti-ful and exciting recordings made of any ballet music out there, it should be a no brainer. I find WATCHING ballets a distraction from the music, which is very very weird, but, i also suspect that the magic and crisps from a good performance is gained by not having to adjust to the dancer's needs. If anyone knows of a Dorati like Swan Lake in modern sound, do inform me!
Howard
Re: the complete Swan Lake, since it was mentioned, this is about as good as it gets, in my view:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51g1VJ4jY3L._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Otherwise, I'm sad to say my knowledge of either ballet music or ballet sets isn't much to speak of...
(Beyond Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and the odd Prokofiev. ;))
My personal choice of the most essential ballets:
Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, Petrushka, Firebird, Pulcinella
Bartok: The Miraculous Mandarin
Falla: El Sombrero de tres picos
Ravel: La Valse
Hindemith: Nobilissima Visione
Prokofiev: Pas d'Acier, Romeo and Juliet
Bussotti: Bergkristal
Quote from: val on April 28, 2008, 12:52:22 AM
My personal choice of the most essential ballets:
Falla: El Sombrero de tres picos
You're forgetting:
Beethoven: Mein Hut der hat drei Ecken
QuoteXB-70 Valkyrie
You're forgetting:
Beethoven: Mein Hut der hat drei Ecken
In German, it is "Dreispitz".
vals list is very good though I don't know the Bussotti.
I would skewer the Stravinsky list more towards his mid/late balletts, and certainly add Prokofievs Chout.
QuoteNo love for Khachaturian?
Certainly is here! His 'Spartacus' must rank as one of the last of the really great ballets. Don't just get the highlights or 'suites from...', try to get hold of the whole thing, it's really great stuff.
Also worth considering would be 'Anna Karenina' by Shchedrin, or his lighter and delightful 'Carmen ballet' after the music of Bizet.
Going a bit out of the mainstream, Schnittke's Peer Gynt is arguably his finest work and one of the great post-Stravinsky ballet scores.
Quote from: edward on May 01, 2008, 07:50:12 AM
Going a bit out of the mainstream, Schnittke's Peer Gynt is arguably his finest work and one of the great post-Stravinsky ballet scores.
Any recording recommendations? I'm definitely out to explore Schnittke more.
Quote from: erato on May 01, 2008, 08:00:43 AM
Any recording recommendations? I'm definitely out to explore Schnittke more.
There's only one, on BIS, and it seems to bring the score to life very well. It also comes with extremely fine booklet notes that illustrate Schnittke's use of melodic cells and their significance to the overall plot and development of the work.
I have the Offenbach on Naxos (Rosenthal), Swan Lake (Bonynge) and the Prokofiev R&J (Maazel). I second these choices by posters in above-portion of the thread. My copy of R&J has Maazel's autograph!
You can add Sullivan's Pineapple Poll on Naxos to this list as well. Classics Today has a 10/10 rating on this.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PPE7M7WSL._SS500_.jpg)
Indispensable!
Quote from: Holden on May 04, 2008, 12:22:42 AM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PPE7M7WSL._SS500_.jpg)
Indispensable!
Oh, that I can second! 8)
Quote from: MichaelRabin on May 03, 2008, 11:00:19 PM
You can add Sullivan's Pineapple Poll on Naxos to this list as well. Classics Today has a 10/10 rating on this.
Why not the version by its arranger, Charles Mackerras?
Quote from: Brian on May 13, 2008, 08:50:10 AM
Why not the version by its arranger, Charles Mackerras?
I don't have Mackerras's CD but if you like it, why not buy it? Like the Rosenthal Naxos CD of Gaite Parisienne, the Mackerras may be your way of buying CDs as well (arranger's recording - may be essential).
Quote from: Holden on May 04, 2008, 12:22:42 AM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PPE7M7WSL._SS500_.jpg)
Indispensable!
I own this one with another cover and in my ears this is the one and only to own.
The cover says 1965 but the Nutcracker suite is acctually recorded in 1961.