When Tchaikovskys masterpiece ballet The Nutcracker premiered at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre on December 18, 1892, it was met with immediate praise and success. Now, almost 125 years later, the work is once again brought to life in that same hall by Valery Gergiev. Tchaikovskys style combined developments of the Western European musical traditions while still keeping his distinct Russian style. His adoration for magic and fantasy works is evident in this delightful ballet. In addition to The Nutcracker, this release also includes Tchaikovskys powerful Fourth Symphony. The work is patterned after Beethovens Fifth, and is well known for its theme of fate, which is announced by the recurring fanfare which holds the work together. Gergiev takes us back to that first light of inspiration, and his orchestra plays as if guided by the composers own hand. (The New York Times)