Características
Efrem Kurtz, born in Saint Petersburg, studied with Alexander Glazunov and Nikolai Tcherepnin and was a pupil of Arthur Nikisch. He mastered a wide repertoire of symphonic and operatic works, ranging from Copland to Barber, Walton, Hindemith, Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Khachaturian. He made a name for himself, however, with his interpretations of Russian music.
In the 1950s, his works belonged in every record collection. With the Philharmonia Orchestra, he made several Tchaikovsky recordings for EMI during that decade, which are now being released as an Hi-Q XRCD. This recording of the Nutcracker Suite was captured to tape in March 1958 at London's Kingsway Hall by producer Peter Andry and sound engineer Neville Boyling.
Tchaikovsky: Casse-noisette, Op. 71
1. Ouverture
2. No. 2: Marche
No. 3: petit Galop des enfants et entrée des parents
No. 8: Scène
No. 9: Valse des flocons de neige
3. No. 12: Divertissement
a) Le chocolat
b) Le café
4. No. 12: Divertissement
c) Le thé
d) Trépak
e) Danse des mirlitons
5. No. 13: Valse de fleurs
6. No. 14: a) Pas de deux (La fée Dragée avec le prince Orgeat)
7. No. 14: b) Pour le danseur
c) Pour la danseuse
d) Coda
No. 15: Valse finale