Hello All,
As I checked the calendar for December, I realized that there is one particular performance that I really want to check out. Coming here to the Kimmel Center this Sunday, 12/11 at 7:30 P.M. in Verizon Hall, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis will be performing the music from the ballet The Harlem Nutcracker.
If you are wondering what to expect from the Harlem Nutcracker, let’s take a closer look to see how this updated version came about. I’ll keep it brief and to the point. First of all, The Nutcracker story line is based on the book The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman, which was written in the mid 19th century. The music, which we now hear in various advertisements from food to department stores was composed by Peter Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Marius Petipa.
The Harlem Nutcracker (conceived in the mid 1970’s) was the brainchild of choreographer Donald Byrd, who not only choreographed the ballet, but also reworked the story to include themes of the African American family celebration experience. The music was that of another admirer of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker music, non other than Duke Ellington.
Duke Ellington used the various themes found in Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and expands on them by putting them to the signature Ellingtonian sound; swing, blues, Latin, elegance and sophistication to achieve a startling end result. David Berger, a noted arranger, Ellington historian and music transcriber, created additional music used to complete the ballet. I can tell you that I have witnessed first hand (I use music from the Harlem Nutcracker in class with students from the tri-state area as the basis for a music/dance/theater arts class) the powerful effect this music has on people. It just gets you moving your feet right away.
The fact that (a.) the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra is one of the finest jazz ensembles in all the land and (b.) the Harlem Nutcracker music can stand on it’s own away from the ballet and Wynton Marsalis takes Ellington as the gospel makes for a really cool concert.
As usual, I have an assignment for you. If you would, let me know other example where classical music meets jazz that appeal to you. It can be a reworking of a classical piece already in existence to jazz or visa versa. That’s all for now. Hope to see you at the concert. Until next time, “Happy Holidays”!
Musically chillin’,
Marc D.J.
Loved the show. Wynton's presence on stage and his interaction with audience and admiration for his art and the rest of the orchestra was very uplifting. What talent by all!!! Majical & beautiful show.
will there ever be another performance of the harlem nutcracker?
Will you ever bring the Harlem Nutcracker Play
to Houston, Texas people desperately want
to see it, and thousands will come.
I saw this great play several times at George Mason University when I lived in the D.C. area.
It is truly worth seeing.
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