Calenza, Anna Harwell Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, illustrated by Don Tate. Charlesbridge, 2011. $20. PICTURE BOOK with CD. Content: G. Celenza uses history, liner notes and a little imagination to recount how Duke Ellington and his orchestra ended up reimagining Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite for the jazz era. I have to say, instead of the classic ballet or the Nutty Nutcracker, I would much rather see Ellington’s piece as the backing for a ballet or modern dance performance during Christmas. A great inspiration for a band, orchestra, dance troupe. And a refreshing change from an over-performed “Christmas” piece. EL, MS, HS – ADVISABLE.
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