A different take on an old fave

The Narada Nutcracker By various artists Narada Entertainment: 1990

by Jim Trageser
This review first appeared in the November 30, 1993 issue of the North County Blade-Citizen (now North County Times).

Not a straight reading of material from Tchaikovsky's ballet, nor is this a new age adaptation as one might think, coming from new age label Narada. Instead, it's an orchestral interpretation of 16 movements from the ballet "The Nutcracker," but an interpretation that hews fairly close to the original.

Several Narada artists are featured soloists, including pianist David Lanz, guitarist Eric Tingstad and oboist Nancy Rumbel. They provide an interesting, challenging adaptation of a classic, fully in keeping with the holiday spirit.