Chineke! Orchestra, Andrew Grams: The Nutcracker Suite LP
Following the success of the digital release in 2023, Decca now present a special edition vinyl for the first official recording of Jeff Tzyik’s orchestration of The Nutcracker Suite. Live from the Royal Festival Hall, Chineke! Orchestra deliver a lively, toe-tapping, reinterpretation, taking the beloved themes from Tchaikovsky’s 1892 festive ballet and infusing them with a vibrant jazz twist.
This unique arrangement by jazz legends Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn during the 1960s has been described as “melting pot of musical styles past and present” by The New York Times, characteristic of Ellington and Strayhorn’s boundary-pushing spirit and strong partnership. The entire suite carries a mischievous spirit, with Ellington creatively altering the music and titles. “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” becomes the sultry “Sugar Rum Cherry” with robust saxophones, while the “Dance of the Reed Pipes” transforms into “Toot Toot Tootie Toot.”
This innovative release also includes thrilling tracks such as “Peanut Brittle Brigade” (March) and “Dance of the Floreadores.
Tracklist:
Side A
I. Overture
II. Toot Toot Tootie Toot (Dance of the Reed-Pipes)
III. Dance of the Floreadores (Waltz of the Flowers)
IV. Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy)
V. Peanut Brittle Brigade (March)
Side B
Lazer etching with cover-inspired design
Limited to 4 per customer.