Brilliant!
What a recording! What genius! The playing is technically masterful, intriguing, and gives a fresh sound to Tchaikovsky's well-known suite. The arrangements are remarkably true to traditional orchestral performances, yet it is delightful to hear new twists on this well-worn composition. These guitarist use the warm tones of the classical nylon-stringed guitar to render a range of emotion from jocular pizzicato to unbridled beauty. Happily, these pleasant interpretations were recorded with superb technique, acoustics, and dynamics. Conversely, the subtleties of Tchaikovsky are often lost in a flood of violins, oboes, brass, and percussion. Orchestral directors often feel that "no one is coming to a ballet for the music." Therefore, orchestras typically overstate Tchaikovsky's every nuance, resulting in a caricature of the composition. Not so with this recording! The CD would be a splendid value even if it stopped after the Nutcracker.
