The Best "Alternative" Nutcracker Recordings

Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" ballet, based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, is practically synonymous with "Christmas." Having grown up in the Boston area and attended the Boston Ballet's famous annual production multiple times, simply hearing the word "Nutcracker" conjures up images of a magical Christmas tree growing to gargantuan size, not to mention all kinds of dancing sweets. I love the many variations of the ballet that have developed over time, as well as the many variations of the music from the ballet. Here are some of my favorite selections from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker," arranged in non-traditional ways.

Duke Ellington: The Nutcracker Suite

In 1960, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn put together a jazz version of "The Nutcracker Suite." The swinging rhythms, brass- and sax-heavy instrumentation, and addition of unexpected jazzy chords here and there turned what had been a very highbrow piece of music into something accessible to a much larger group of music lovers. I dare you to listen to this recording without chair dancing.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Nutrocker

"Nut Rocker" was first released by a group called "B. Bumble and the Stingers" in 1962. In 2009, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra released their album "called Night Castle," which included their version of "Nutrocker". If hard-core rock and roll is your genre, then this arrangement is the one for you. With screaming electric guitar riffs, Jerry Lee Lewis-style banging piano breaks, a few Moog-ish organ/synth licks, and drum set action throughout, it'll appeal to rock and roll fans of every era.

Modern Mandolin Quartet: Trepak

The athletic and energetic Russian dance, "Trepak," is particularly fun in this arrangement for four mandolins. Other favorite Nutcracker excerpts by this group include the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Waltz of the Flowers. It's certainly a very different sound from the orchestral arrangement, yet the nature of the instruments creates a very classical feel.

Mixwill: The Modern Nutcracker

This version is touted as being "jumpstyle," and I don't even know what that is, but it feels like the theme to a movie from the Mission Impossible or James Bond or Jason Bourne series. Very rhythmic, with lots of electronic enhancements, I appreciate the extremely straight rhythms combined with funky background instrumentation and cool new bridges. I wouldn't listen to it over and over, but in the right mood, it's a really intriguing take on the classic.

Harry Connick, Jr.: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies [sic]

Very much in the style of Duke Ellington's arrangement, Connick's take is a jazzy rendition that plays around with rhythms and instrumentation, leaning heavily on sax and jazz piano, with some spiffy drum riffs. Laid back and upbeat, this classic jazz version is both hot and cool.

The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Nutcracker Suite

Setzer's big band/swing arrangement has a "lighter" feel to it than Ellington's and a "straighter" feel than Connick's. Its faster tempos also give it a more upbeat feel than either of those arrangements. I like the periodic inclusion of a few bars in nearly the original arrangement before breaking back into the jazzed-up rendition.

Take 6: The Sugar Plum Dance

This bluesy vocal arrangement shows off the mad skills of all six members of this group, from the impossibly deep bass to the sparkly tenors up in the stratosphere. It's a great, mellow version that starts off with a jazzy but recognizable rendition, then really plays with the melody so it's nearly unrecognizable but still fabulous, before returning to the familiar tune. And you'd swear that was an actual muted trumpet in there, but it's all pure vocals.

Alchemy Handbell Ensemble: The Arabian Dance

This handbell choir performs a number of selections from The Nutcracker, although I find most of their tempos to be somewhat slow for my taste. The Arabian Dance, however, is best performed at a slower tempo, and I find it particularly haunting scored for handbells. Plus, it's fun to watch this video, which showcases a number of handbell techniques, including the use of mallets, shakes, four-in-hand, and some pretty impressive bell passing.

William Zeitler (Glass Armonica): The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

Speaking of haunting, it doesn't get much more haunting than the sound of a glass armonica. If you're not familiar with this unusual instrument, it creates sounds similar to the way you can make a wineglass "sing" by running a damp finger around the rim. This arrangement also includes a harp, clarinet, and bass clarinet, but it's really the armonica that creates the unusual timbre.

The Canadian Brass: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

I love the music of brass quintets at Christmas time - there's just something about their bright, sharp sound that feels right for the crisp snowy weather and the cheerfulness of Christmas. And this arrangement is surprisingly light on its feet, despite the solid bass line in the tuba.

And if you're not a Nutcracker fan, here's a version even you (or perhaps, especially you) will appreciate:
Straight No Chaser: Nutcracker