The Nutcracker, first seen in 1892, recounts the magical Christmas Eve of young Clara. Her adventures in the company of an enchanted prince inspired Tchaikovsky to such spellbinding numbers as the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Waltz of the Flowers and a sparkling series of national dances. In describing himself in an interview as "a complete romantic", André Previn suggested just why his recordings of Tchaikovsky's three great ballet scores, made in the 1970s with the London Symphony Orchestra, have become classics of the catalogue. In their sweep, colour and surging emotion, they exemplify the spirit of late Romanticism, the musical aesthetic at the heart of Previn's repertoire. Over his 11 years as Principal Conductor of the LSO (1968-1979) he and his musicians became something of a media phenomenon, notably with their own series on BBC television, which helped to draw full houses for their concerts in London and on tour.

Track List

1. The Nutcracker Op. 71: Miniature Overture
2. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 1 Scene 1: No. 1 Decoration of the Christmas Tree
3. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 1 Scene 1: No. 2 March
4. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 1 Scene 1: No. 3 Children's Galop and Entry of the Parents
5. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 1 Scene 1: No. 4 Dancing Scene. Arrival of Drosselmeyer
6. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 1 Scene 1: No. 5 Grandfather Dance
7. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 1 Scene 1: No. 6 Clara and the Nutcracker
8. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 1 Scene 1: No. 7 the Battle
9. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 1 Scene 2: No. 8 in the Pine Forest
10. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 1 Scene 2: No. 9 Waltz of the Snowflakes
11. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 10 the Kingdom of Sweets
12. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 11 Clara and the Prince
13. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 12A Divertissement. Chocolate Spanish Dance
14. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 12B Divertissement. Coffee Arabian Dance
15. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 12C Divertissement. Tea Chinese Dance
16. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 12D Divertissement. Trepak Russian Dance
17. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 12E Divertissement. Dance of the Reed Pipes
18. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 12F Divertissement. Mother Gigogne
19. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 13 Waltz of the Flowers
20. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 14A Pas de Deux. Andante Maestoso
21. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 14B Pas de Deux. Variation I "Tarantella"
22. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 14C Pas de Deux. Variation II "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy ; Coda"
23. The Nutcracker Op. 71 Act 2: No. 15 Final Waltz ; Apotheosis