It Doesn't Have to Christmas
This is an excellent recording of the Nutcracker! It's wonderful to have the full ballet instead of just selections from the suite. The music somehow stays timeless even after millions of seasonal ballet performances and use in shopping malls. Whether or not your a fan of classical music, this is a good recording that almost anyone can enjoy.

If you aren't a classical snob . . .
Beautifully lyrical ballet music. Rarely played in its entirety, it's definitely worth the listen. Go beyond the shorter, holiday performance version. You'll be glad you did.

Wonderful, just buy it
this recording doesn't need another review, at what, $14 just buy it. You won't regret it. A great great recording of beautiful music.

Higher, faster, louder fools a lot of people
I heard this recording on the radio, and could not believe that a recording company would release such a hideous performance. It is technically unsound because the tempi are so fast in many places that the notes do not speak on even the violins, much less on the viole and celli. The brass sound (especially in the trumpets) is so coarse that it hurts. I have played this piece many times with good conductors and bad ones, but I have never encountered a situation in which the music and the orchestra were so utterly degraded by an "interpretation." Gergiev made what is obviously a GREAT orchestra sound at best mediocre, and most of the way through, just bad. You would have to pay me in seven figures to put this atrocity in my library of recorded music. I had to put one star in the rating to publish this review, but it surely doesn't deserve even that one.

Excellent in the highest
This recording of Tchaikovsky beloved seasonal ballet, 'The Nutcracker' has got to be one of the best ever recorded for the Digital era. Music performed by the Kirov Orchestra under the superb guidance of conductor Valery Gergiev in no doubt is superflous and eventhough the tempo is of the music is a bit fast, nevertheless it serves its purpose, for the concert hall. You don't have to watch the ballet to appreciate the vivid display of Tchaikovsky brilliant composition. just listen to the music and be transported to a land of magic and childhood fantasies. Simply the best gift for Christmas or any other time. Enjoy and awake your senses!