The Nutcracker Suite (Tim Sparks album)

The Nutcracker Suite is a recording by American guitarist Tim Sparks, released in 1993.^[1] It consists of both an adaptation for acoustic guitar of Tchaikovsky's suite from his 1892 ballet The Nutcracker and the Balkan Dreams Suite, a suite of songs based on melodies and ideas of Béla Bartók. Sparks won the 1993 National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship playing his solo guitar arrangement of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite".^[2]

The Nutcracker Suite
Studio album by Tim Sparks
Released	1993
Recorded	1992
Genre	Classical, world
Length	36:43
Label	Acoustic Music Records
Producer	Tim Sparks
Tim Sparks chronology
The Nutcracker Suite (1993) Guitar Bazaar (1995)

Reception

A review of the album in Classical Guitar Magazine stated: "After listening to the CD, I must admit that Sparks catches the essence of the music in a wonderful way. For the advanced player, this is an excellent edition to reap the rewards of the Nutcracker Suite."

Guitar Player called it "An exhilarating, odd-meter minefield inspired by Near Eastern music. An important recording from a gifted composer, arranger and performer."

Track listing

(P.I. Tchaikovsky/arr. Tim Sparks)

1. "Overture" – 2:10
2. "March of the Toy Soldiers" – 2:12
3. "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" – 1:57
4. "Cossack Dance" – 1:22
5. "Arabian Dance" – 2:41
6. "Chinese Dance" – 1:15
7. "Dance of the Reed Pipes" – 2:50
8. "Waltz of the Flowers" – 6:11

Balkan Dreams Suite (trad. arr. Tim Sparks)

1. "Oniro/Dimineatsa Dupa Nunta" – 3:09
2. "Samiotisa – 2:33
3. "Tatavliano Hasapiko" – 2:35
4. "Melek N'ty Ubana" – 4:06
5. "The Blues on Bartok Street" (Tim Sparks) – 3:25

Personnel

• Tim Sparks - acoustic guitar, requinto

Production notes

• Produced by Tim Sparks
• Engineered, mixed and mastered by Jay M. Fleming