50 X Ballet

"This generous selection contains one of my favourite recordings of the Swan Lake Suite. This is performed by the Israel Philharmonic conducted by Zubin Mehta. For a long time this has been difficult to obtain. Now it is opens this boxed collection and sets the high standard with what follows. CD 1 is devoted to the Tchaikovsky ballets, of course, a highlight being entended excerpts from 'The Nutcracker' including the complete Snowflakes sequence. This is conducted by Richard Bonynge, an enthusiast for all things balletomatic. Richard also conducts lengthy extracts from Giselle, La Bayadere, Le Corsaire, Manon and Don Quixote. Besides many obvious inclusions there are also a couple of concert hall favourites...'Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune' and the 'Meditation' from Thais. The whole 227 minute programme ends with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra's performance of the Lullaby and Final Hymn from 'The Firebird'. A bargain !" (Mel@Marbecks)