Alexandra Dariescu & Lindsey Russell - The Nutcracker and I (2018) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Pianist Alexandra Dariescu presents a reimagining of the classic ballet tale of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, with Alex herself taking the role of Clara, now a little girl longing to fulfil her dream of becoming a pianist …

Anyone recording Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto must have something special to say. The competition is overwhelming and practically all the greatest pianists in history had their say with this virtuoso warhorse. Alexandra Dariescu plays it safe in an interpretation where all the notes are played well and there are no sudden surprises. Turn to her performance of the Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite, however, in the idiomatic arrangement by Mikhail Pletnev, and you will find that here is a pianist with something special to say. The celesta part of ‘The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ rings out with bell-like clarity and the ‘Trepak’ is piano-playing at the highest virtuoso level. That she also makes the piano sing in the concluding Apotheosis is another example of her strong musicianship. The recording places the piano clearly in the centre of the sound picture, which complements Dariescu’s rhythmic clarity, not least in her whimsical account of the ‘Tarantella’. Let’s hope we get more dance-inspired music from this pianist.

Tracklist:
01. The Nutcracker and I: Scene (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
02. The Nutcracker and I: Miniature Overture (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
03. The Nutcracker and I: Opening Act One (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
04. The Nutcracker and I: March (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
05. The Nutcracker and I: The Battle-Pas de Deux in the Snow (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
06. The Nutcracker and I: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fair (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
07. The Nutcracker and I: Tarantella (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
08. The Nutcracker and I: Arabian Dance (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
09. The Nutcracker and I: Russian Dance (Trepak) (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
10. The Nutcracker and I: Chinese Dance (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
11. The Nutcracker and I: Dance of the Reed Flutes (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
12. The Nutcracker and I: Pas de Deux (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
13. The Nutcracker and I: Waltz of the Flowers (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")
14. The Nutcracker and I: Finale Act Two (Adapted from Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker (suite), Op.71a")

Personnel:
Alexandra Dariescu, piano
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Darrell Ang, conductor