Tchaikovsky & Ellington: The Nutcracker Suites, Classical & Jazz

Featuring

Steven Richman
Lew Tabackin
Lew Soloff
Bill Easley
Victor Lewis
George Cables

Harmonie Ensemble/New York
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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Composition History

The idea for Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's jazz Nutcracker originated with Billy Strayhorn, who was often in Ellington's shadow but received equal billing for this project.

Performer Biography

The Harmonie Ensemble / New York, founded by Steven Richman in 1979, draws its members from major New York orchestras and top jazz and commercial artists.

Recording & Production

This album uniquely combines both the original Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite and Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's jazz version, conducted by the same person, Steven Richman.

Performer Biography

Steven Richman, the conductor, has received multiple awards and conducted 10 internationally acclaimed CDs, including a Grammy-nominated album.

Cultural Impact

Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's 1960 jazz adaptation of The Nutcracker is the most popular long-form work from Ellington's catalog, transcending genre and generations.

Critical Reception

Unlike many 'swinging the classics' arrangements of its time, the Ellington-Strayhorn Nutcracker is considered a masterpiece that rivals the original, rather than a trivialization.

Cultural Impact

Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker is not only his most-performed piece but also one of the most beloved works in music history, despite the composer reportedly disliking it.