Cheap Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake (Music) (Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Antal Dorati) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

Ballet's Best: Dorati Triumph
Antal Dorati was a ballet and symphony conductor in the 50's and 60's. He was prolific, dedicated and masterful. He had conducted ballets in Monte Carlo, Paris and other European theaters. His interpretation of Tchaikovsky music is what stands out the most. It is no wonder, then, that the musical score to Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" is top-notch. This cd is a classic. It has the entire score, without missing a single note or scene, finely re-issued from the old LP in the 60's. Antal Dorati takes the baton and the orchesta strikes up the ever famous Overture. Dark, majestic, exciting, it is the theme used for the swans.

Everyone who knows ballets knows the story. It is full of heartache, passion, romance and brilliant music. At the time of its premiere, it was uniquely modern. Tchaikovsky's music to this ballet was not light, sugary or merely danceable. It was complex, full of rich color and sophisticated characterization. The ballet was even considered a flop for its symphonic make-up. Nowadays, we appreciate the fine music it really is. It is rich, full of melody and drama, appropriately light in certain places (the Czardas, Mazurka and other dances) to sad (Odette's solos on violin and cello) and finally, dramatic and tragic- the finale. The world of fantasy is suddenly convincing. Based on a German fairy tale, it tells the story of an evil wizard (Rothbart) who puts a dark spell on a princess (Odette) and turns her into a swan by night. A handsome prince named Siegfried (no surprise there) is hunting and discovers the swan/princess. He falls in love wit her. In some versions, Odette and Siegfried's romance is fulfilled and the ending is happy. But in its true essence and as Tchaikovsky envisioned, the ending must be tragic. Although Rothbart the dark wizard is defeated, the lovers cannot be together and are also dead by the end of the ballet. In melodrama and tragedy it is similar to Adolphe Adam's Giselle, which Tchaikovsky had enjoyed. Tchaikovsky's first ballet began the Great Three- Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. He was proud of Sleeping Beauty, which musically is superior to Swan Lake. Nevertheless, Swan Lake remains a great work of art. It has the passionate drama of a great classic ballet. Every ballerina wants to play the challenging but prominent role of Odette, the swans in the ballet followed the tradition of ballet-blanc, meaning the corps de ballet dancers wore white tutus. Swan Lake is also a pleasure to watch on video or DVD, preferably by a Russian company or a good American or Canadian company. Enjoy.

---

THE FIREWORKS OF MUSIC
This explossion of songs and dances takes you far away as soon as you hear the first note. What could be better than to hear it, but only to see it.

---

A Beautiful Recording For Mono/Dorati Triumphs
If you don't mind hearing a brash Mono recording, originally from an LP, Dorati has managed to conduct a beautiful rendition of the classic ballet/tragic fairy tale. The music and the dances tell the story of Odette, a princess turned swan by the dark magic of Rothbart and the Prince Odile who discovers the secret only it is too late. The magic of the pas de deux, the famous scene in Act 1 and the Finale is sure to make this a delightful experience for ballet lovers. The Overture is excellent and the main swan theme has been used in various movies and tv- i.e. Dracula with Bela Lugosi uses the main theme in the opening credits and there is a tv commercial that uses it with synchronized swimmers. The beauty of Tchaikovsky, one of the greatest Romantic composers, comes to life. It is a treat to hear. Get this one though some claim it is not the finest interpretation. Dorati however conducts the best Tchaikovsky music, much like Neville Marriner does with the music of Mozart and Bach. If you like romance and fantasy, this is your cd.