The Nutcracker Suite

Based on Tchaikovsky’s 1892 piece of the same name, jazz legends Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn penned their own jazz-inspired interpretations in this album released in 1960 (As an aside, here we are 63 years after Ellington’s release, which was only 68 years after Tchaikovsky’s premiere!).

Join us as we explore how this entire work demonstrates not only the brilliant orchestration skills of Ellington and Strayhorn, but also Tchaikovsky’s melodic genius that allowed his music to transcend genres.

The album, complete with the score, can be listened to below!