Mariinsky Orchestra/Gergiev

Tchaikovsky Nutcracker and Symphony No 4

Mariinsky label.com

NOW here is a glory, a double CD coupling Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet, as glamorous a musical chocolate box collection as you could hope for, and the mighty Fourth Symphony, the composer’s probably-autobiographical symphony that deals with Fate, both in its musical material and in its message, pretty explicitly spelled out by Tchaikovsky: if there is no joy in life for you, try to experience it vicariously by witnessing the happiness of others.

The performance of Nutcracker is intoxicating in its beauty – all the magic and sparkle is there. I felt as though I had been sprinkled with stardust; it’s glossy and glittering and gorgeous. The Fourth Symphony, after its opening fanfares of Fate, turns broad and passionate, deeply-felt in its slow movement, gobsmacking in the pizzicato movement and boiling in the finale, at the climax of which Gergiev goes into turbo-drive, and will no doubt be accused of playing to the gallery – what the heck, it’s nearly Christmas. The recording, made in the concert hall of the Mariinsky Theatre, is fabulous – the only word for it – rich in sonic splendour. Go on, treat yourself, you won’t regret it.

Michael Tumelty