Jazz-Inspired Music
We recommend pairing one or more of the following works curated from Wise Music Classical’s music rental catalogue with The Snowman in Concert to create a full-evening program.
Longer Works (15-30 minutes)
The Nutcracker Suite (for jazz band)
Description: In 1960 Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn reinvented Tchaikovsky’s holiday ballet classic as a jazzy, brassy “melting pot of musical styles past and present,” according to The New York Times. In the nine movement work, the Sugar Plum Fairy becomes the sultry Sugar Rum Cherry, while the Dance of the Reed Pipes becomes Toot Toot Tootie Toot.
Composer: Tchaikovsky, arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn
Duration: 31 min
Orchestration: 2 asx(2nd doubling cl & bamboo fl), 2 tsx(both doubling cl), barsx(doubling bcl), 4 tpt(1st doubling tambourine), 3 tbn, dm, pf, dbNarrator + 1.1.1.1/3.1.1.0/timp.perc/str
The Nutcracker Suite (for orchestra)
Description: Five movements from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet.
Composer: Tchaikovsky, arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, adapted for orchestra by Jeff Tyzik
Duration: 17 min
Orchestration: 2.1+ca.2+bcl.asx(tsx).2/4331/dmkit/jazz bass/str
Shorter Works (14 minutes and under)
Description: Jeff Tyzik takes some of the most memorable tunes from the Big Band era and arranges them here in a medley for orchestra. Among those sampled include “Jersey Bounce,” “Tuxedo Junction,” Sunrise Serenade,” and “Satin Doll” among others. A fantastic introduction for young audiences to the swinging jazz sounds of the 1940s.
Composer: Jeff Tyzik
Duration: 1o min
Orchestration: 2222/4331/timp.dmkit.vib/hp.pf.eb/str
Description: Quoting Joplin and Stravinsky and calling upon the trumpeter to employ “all the tricks of the trade,” Antheil creates a wholly original and inimitable musical score that once and for all marries jazz to the concert orchestra. Virtuosic piano solos look ahead to the post-bebop “free” jazz of the 60s.
Composer: George Antheil
Duration: 6.5 min
Orchestration: 1030/0330/perc/pf/str
Description: Gould’s bluesy orchestral essay demonstrates how comfortable the standard orchestra can be in a jazz-inspired setting. Muted instruments help develop young people’s understanding of instrumental timbre.
Composer: Morton Gould
Duration: 5 min
Orchestration: 1(pic)1(ca)21/4321/timp.perc/hp.pf/str