Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite Read Free Books and Download eBooks
It's a challenge to transform the "Nutcracker Suite's" romantic orchestra into jumpin' jazz melodies, but that's exactly what Duke Ellington and his collaborator, Billy Strayhorn, did.Ellington's band memebers were not so sure that a classical ballet could become a cool-cat jazz number. But Duke and Billy, inspired by their travels and by musical styles past and present, infused the composition with Vegas glitz, Hollywood glamour, and even a little New York jazz. CD recording of the Ellington/Strayhorn composition included.
Lexile Measure: 620L (What's this?)
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Charlesbridge; Rei/Com edition (July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1570917000
ISBN-13: 978-1570917004
Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 0.4 x 8.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #974,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #66 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Music > History #198 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Performing Arts #239 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Musical
Age Range: 6 - 9 years
Grade Level: 3 - 4
One of the best things about Christmas time is the opportunity to listen to the great Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky as interpreted by The Duke Ellington Orchestra with the remarkable arrangements by Billy Strayhorn. This wonderful book is for children and adults of all ages who appreciate the cultural heritage and treasure that constitutes The Duke Ellington Orchestra. I highly recommend the hardcover copy of the book so that you obtain the CD that is included. Duke, Billy and the band never sounded better! The author of this marvelous book captures the era, the personalities of the composers and arrangers, and the perplexed musicians who were challenged to interpret a well-known classical masterpiece. At first the musicians were resistive to trying something out of their 'comfort zone.' The author describes how Billy Strayhorn won them over and convinced them that they would have a good time with the new interpretation: Dance of the Reed-Pipes becomes "Toot Toot Tootie Toot" for example and Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy is entitled "Sugar Rum Cherry." Anna Harwell Celenza acknowledges that her descriptions of the whole process is indebted to David Hajdu's biography of Billy Strayhorn "Lush Life" (North Point Press 1996) as well as her own imagination for the studio dates. She appears to get the "tone" of the personalities involved just right and makes the whole endeavor memorable as well as enjoyable. Special mention must be given to the remarkable illustrations by the gifted artist, Don Tate, who reproduces the studio sessions and the music with verve, color and lots of imagination. His renditions of the musicians involved is both accurate and insightful. This book is a joy!
The music on the CD is great: a full big-band jazz rendition of the popular ballet music. (The CD is only available in the more expensive hardback version.)I think the book is fun, but filled with some imaginative 1960-style "hep cat lingo" that isn't going to appeal to everyone. Another fact that will either be positive or not is that race isn't mentioned. Ellington is "an American pianist, composer, and big-band leader", not "an African-American". Some people will think that's positive, because we're focusing on his incredible achievements instead of on his skin color, and others will be unhappy because we're "erasing" his race. You'll have to make your own choice on that score.
We love this book and cd!! 'Bought it first for my five year old grand niece, who saw the ballet for the first time this year. She thinks the book & story "very perfect", prefers his versions of the music and would like to see rge ballet dancers dance to it too.Liked it so much, I bought a copy for myself.
Beautiful illustrations but I was really disappointed by the text. I had to really paraphrase for my 4 year old to get the idea. I don't really think my older nephews would have appreciated the text either, as nothing really happens until they get to the studio to record...But he loved the idea of doing something differently, and I think I've finally changed his mind about jazz!! Served its purpose.
This is a great book for an introduction to Duke Ellington for kids. It also opens the possibility for a lesson on comparing Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker to Duke Ellingtons.
Another in Celenza's fabulous series on famous composers and their works. We own the whole set. A wonderful classroom or family resource.
Goes with previous Nutcracker evaluations ... adds diversity for the nutcracker collectors. This isn't the actual story version - but HOW Ellington actually decided to write his version There are story versions with African-American characters using Duke Ellington's music available (not sure where)... but keep looking for diversity - You'll find it !!
This Ellington "do over" of the immortal Tchaikowsky ballet is just delightful! Jazzy, witty, and just enough to remind you of all your favorites from the original.
Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite Duke: A Life of Duke Ellington Duke: The Musical Life of Duke Ellington Beyond Category: The Life And Genius Of Duke Ellington Duke Ellington: An American Composer and Icon Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra Duke Ellington (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) Duke Ellington: His Life in Jazz with 21 Activities (For Kids series) Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra (Caldecott Honor Book) Duke Ellington: Jazz Composer (Fact Finders Biographies: Great African Americans) Duke Ellington Big Band Play-Along Vol.3 Trumpet BK/CD Nutcracker Suite in Full Score (Dover Music Scores) The Nutcracker Suite for the Piano, Op. 71a (Library Vol. 1447) Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker The Nutcracker Story Book Set and Advent Calendar Nutcracker Sticker Activity Book (Dover Little Activity Books Stickers) The Story of the Nutcracker Coloring Book (Dover Classic Stories Coloring Book) The Nutcracker (Little Golden Book) Nutcracker Ballet Coloring Book (Dover Holiday Coloring Book) The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet (Pictureback(R))
