Tchaikovsky

[hockeycow84]

Im looking to broaden my repertoire.  I did not really play much Tchaikovsky while in school and was looking for suggestions on preferred versions of The seasons, Album for the young and the Nutcracker (yeah yeah ill be playing it around the holidays for friends/family).

Thanks for the suggestions!
 
Im working on Beethoven "The Tempest" Sonata and Speeding up Chopin "Minute" Waltz.

[thorn]

I am only familiar with The Seasons. I like Ashkenazy as a holistic package (his recording is on YouTube). Rachmaninoff made a wonderful recording of November (definitely one I'd play for family/friend setting).

Again for this setting, why not get hold of a transcription of the Sleeping Beauty waltz? Most people know that one!

[indianajo]

I've made up a version of "Sugar Plum Fairy" by ear. I felt challenged by a harpist on a radio performance that said it has 100+ key changes and explained how hard that was on a harp.  Key changes on a piano are a snap, right?  It is about the fourth piece I ever arranged by ear, but has the advantage that I don't lose track of the song in my head unlike some other less familiar pieces. 
I use a truncated ending, instead of the segue into the next piece of the actual ballet.  I'm playing the bass clarinet in the left hand and the celeste in the right, mostly.  Very pretty on a piano that has a distinct ping to the upper tones.