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Shirim Klezmer Orchestra : Klezmer Nutcracker
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Tchaikovsky goes to a Jewish Wedding.
Genre: World: Klezmer
Release Date: 1998
Klezmer Nutcracker
Shirim Klezmer Orchestra
Record Label: Newport Classic
  • Buy CD - $13.99

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Preview Song Name Time Buy
1. Kozatsky 'til You Dropsky (Trepak) 1:44 Album Only
2. Dance of the Latkes Queen (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy) 2:52 Album Only
3. March of the Macabees (March) 1:39 Album Only
4. Araber Tants (Arab Dance) 2:29 Album Only
5. Tants Chinese (Chinese Dance) 1:49 Album Only
6. Dance of the Dreydls (Dance of the Reed Flutes) 2:28 Album Only
7. Waltz of the Ruggelah (Waltz of the Flowers) 3:28 Album Only
8. Gustav's Wedding (Mahler's 1st Symphony) 4:23 Album Only
9. Romanian Rhapsody (Enesco) 4:39 Album Only
10. Gnossienne 1 (E. Satie) 2:26 Album Only
11. Gnossienne 2 (E. Satie) 1:45 Album Only
12. Gnossienne 3 (E. Satie) 2:34 Album Only
13. Hungarian Goulash (Brahms Hungarian Dance) 3:47 Album Only
14. Nekhome (Chopin Prelude #4) 3:22 Album Only
15. Turk in America (traditional) 3:47 Album Only
16. Russian Bulgar (traditional) 4:04 Album Only
17. Gymnopedie 3 (E. Satie) 2:33 Album Only
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Album Notes

A classic in its own right,Shirim's "Klezmer Nutcracker" is a klezmerized version of Tchaikovsky's perennial favorite which delights the whole family. It will make klezmer aficionados plotz and leaves Tchaikovsky fans rolling on the floor with laughter. Combining the zany wit of Spike Jones with the class and craft of Duke Ellington, Shirim recasts the Nutcracker as a Hannukah classic with images of a dancing Potato Latkes Queen and marching Macabees. Emphasizing the Eastern European elements of the score with witty intelligence and playful irreverence, Shirim redefines the modern melting pot of "world music."

The CD is filled out with classic klezmer music and klezmer versions of Mahler, Brahms, Satie and Enesco.

Klezmer Nutcracker features some of the finest instrumentalists of the klezmer revival: Clarinetist-bandleader Glenn Dickson is joined by trombonist David Harris, pianist Michael McLaughlin, banjo player Pete Fitzpatrick, drummer Eric Rosenthal, and Jim Gray and John Manning trading off on tuba.

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REVIEWS

Excellent Music
author: C. Skinner
                            
It's funny, it's witty, it's soulful and great Klezmer music. What a wonderful group of very talented musicians and orchestrators. Good any time of year to pep up the day. I'd like to hear some more Klezmerizations. How's about some early jazz and Swing?...Water Music? Sousa?..Beatles?

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Funtastic!
author: Foxglove
                            
Got this as a gift and love it. Fun and astute transformation of classics into Klezmer. Just as wonderful as the Nutcracker are the other classics. One of my favorite tracks is the Klezmer-ized version of Mahler's First Symphony. Mahler reflected a lot of folk influences in his music, and his First Symphony is perfect for the transformation. The beginning of the piece is truly inspired.

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Klezmer Nutcracker
author: Abby Satcher
                            
I LOVE THIS CD!  I've been hearing it for years on public radio every holiday season and it's always made me want to dance.  Finally ordered it and danced the night away when it arrived.  Only downside is, it was a gift and is now gone to its new home.  Now I have to order it again for myself!

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Fun, and good listening.
author: Logillus
                            
The Nutcracker as you have never heard it! Makes the Nutcracker appropriate for Christmas or Chanukah! Also some other classics get klezmerized as a bonus!

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