The Nutcracker Suite (Tim Sparks album)
| The Nutcracker Suite | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1993 | |||
| Recorded | 1992 | |||
| Genre | Classical, world | |||
| Length | 36:43 | |||
| Label | Acoustic Music Records | |||
| Producer | Tim Sparks | |||
| Tim Sparks chronology | ||||
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The Nutcracker Suite is a recording by American guitarist Tim Sparks, released in 1993.[1] It consists of both an adaptation for acoustic guitar of Tchaikovsky's suite from his 1892 ballet The Nutcracker and the Balkan Dreams Suite, a suite of songs based on melodies and ideas of Béla Bartók. Sparks won the 1993 National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship playing his solo guitar arrangement of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite".[2]
Reception
[edit]A review of the album in Classical Guitar Magazine stated: "After listening to the CD, I must admit that Sparks catches the essence of the music in a wonderful way. For the advanced player, this is an excellent edition to reap the rewards of the Nutcracker Suite."
Guitar Player called it "An exhilarating, odd-meter minefield inspired by Near Eastern music. An important recording from a gifted composer, arranger and performer."
Track listing
[edit](P.I. Tchaikovsky/arr. Tim Sparks)
- "Overture" – 2:10
- "March of the Toy Soldiers" – 2:12
- "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" – 1:57
- "Cossack Dance" – 1:22
- "Arabian Dance" – 2:41
- "Chinese Dance" – 1:15
- "Dance of the Reed Pipes" – 2:50
- "Waltz of the Flowers" – 6:11
Balkan Dreams Suite (trad. arr. Tim Sparks)
- "Oniro/Dimineatsa Dupa Nunta" – 3:09
- "Samiotisa – 2:33
- "Tatavliano Hasapiko" – 2:35
- "Melek N'ty Ubana" – 4:06
- "The Blues on Bartok Street" (Tim Sparks) – 3:25
Personnel
[edit]- Tim Sparks - acoustic guitar, requinto
Production notes
[edit]- Produced by Tim Sparks
- Engineered, mixed and mastered by Jay M. Fleming
References
[edit]- ^ Allmusic entry for The Nutcracker Suite. Retrieved December 2009.
- ^ Walnut Valley Festival web site. Archived 2009-04-14 at the Wayback Machine