The great Russian-born conductor Anatole Fistoulari, affectionately known as 'Fisty' to his friends, was a stalwart of the British recording studios from the 1940s through to the 1970s and was a master interpreter of ballet music and Russian ballet music in particular. This CD includes the first complete release on CD of his 1950 Decca LP of Gounod's Faust ballet music, Thomas's Mignon overture and Dance of the Hours from Ponchielli's La Gioconda. It also includes excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty ballets.