Which ballet should I buy first on vinyl?

Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" is the easiest start: familiar tunes, a manageable length as a suite and plenty of versions. Follow with Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" for rhythmic shock, then Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" for sweep and drama. Those three records cover most of what orchestral ballet has to offer.

What is the difference between a ballet suite and a complete ballet?

A complete ballet contains the entire score written for the stage, in story order, and usually takes two or three LPs. A suite is a selection of the strongest numbers, arranged for concert performance by the composer or a conductor, and generally fits on one side or a single LP.

Are vintage ballet recordings worth buying on vinyl?

Yes. Many stereo recordings from the 1950s to the 1970s, such as Mercury Living Presence and Decca releases, are still reference versions. Used copies vary a lot in condition, so a well-made audiophile reissue is often the safer choice, with quieter surfaces and usually a lower price than sought-after first pressings.

What is The Rite of Spring?

"The Rite of Spring" is a ballet by Igor Stravinsky, premiered in Paris in 1913 by the Ballets Russes. Its pounding rhythms and dissonance caused a famous uproar at the first performance. Today it is one of the most recorded scores of the 20th century and a cornerstone of any ballet collection.

Ballets

Ballets transport us into a world where music and dance intertwine to tell timeless stories. From The Nutcracker to Romeo and Juliet, including Swan Lake or The Firebird, each work envelops us in an atmosphere of grace and emotion.

Heard on vinyl, these recordings reveal a depth and richness of sound that recreate the enchanting atmosphere of a concert hall, with all the majesty of an orchestra in full light.

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Tchaikovsky: Casse-Noisette

Sir Simon Rattle

Ballet Vinyl Records: Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Prokofiev and More

Why ballet vinyl works so well on a turntable

This page gathers ballet vinyl: complete scores, orchestral suites and collections of famous excerpts. Ballet music is written to tell a story in scenes, so it moves between hushed pas de deux and full-orchestra climaxes, which is exactly where a good pressing shines. A suite fits on one side, while a complete "Swan Lake" or "The Sleeping Beauty" usually runs to two or three LPs, often with a booklet that follows the action scene by scene.

Complete ballet or suite, original or reissue?

Start by choosing between a complete ballet and a suite, which keeps the best-known numbers on a single record. For a first purchase, a "Nutcracker" or "Romeo and Juliet" suite is usually enough. Then pick an era. Stereo recordings from the 1950s to the 1970s built the genre's reputation on record, including Antal Dorati's Tchaikovsky for Mercury Living Presence and Ernest Ansermet's Stravinsky on Decca.

These references circulate both as original pressings on the used market and as audiophile reissues, for instance from Speakers Corner. With used box sets, confirm that every disc and the booklet are included, and ask about marks on quiet passages, where any surface noise is obvious. A clean reissue often beats a tired original.

Essential ballet scores on vinyl

The core repertoire comes down to a handful of scores, recorded by conductors you will find in the catalog such as Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, André Previn, Bernard Haitink and Riccardo Muti. John Lanchbery, longtime principal conductor of the Royal Ballet, and Richard Bonynge also recorded much of this music. Comparing two conductors in the same score is one of the pleasures of collecting ballet on vinyl, since tempos and orchestral color can differ a great deal.

Tchaikovsky: "Swan Lake", "The Sleeping Beauty", "The Nutcracker"
Stravinsky: "The Firebird", "Petrushka", "The Rite of Spring", premiered in Paris in 1913
Prokofiev: "Romeo and Juliet", "Cinderella"
Delibes' "Coppélia", Adam's "Giselle", Ravel's "Daphnis et Chloé"