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The Coconutcracker Suite

by Karl Blau

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Tropic 02:01
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Arabesque 06:23
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about

A reggae version of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's classic "Nutcracker Suite" opus 71a. The original Tchaikovsky pieces were distilled to their essence and then rebuilt as instrumental reggae tunes by Karl Blau.

Interesting tidbits about the original compositions: Nutcracker Suite is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov which Tchaikovsky used the dance score to write his music to. From Wikipedia: "Petipa gave Tchaikovsky extremely detailed instructions for the composition of each number, down to the tempo and number of bars." Also notable is that during this composing, Tchaikovsky visited the United States (from his Russian homeland) for a month to conduct the opening concerts of Carnegie Hall (the year 1891) and wrote parts in Roen, France - it may be implied that the travel to and from these places also influenced his writing.

This ballet as well as Tchaikovsky's opera Iolanta premiered together in St. Petersburg in 1892, it was some of the last music he composed. He died the following year from cholera (contaminated drinking water), he was 53.

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released December 5, 2003

Recorded on Quatro~Synco 4-track at Ideal Island Studio on Samish Island, Washington in November of 2003. Blau plays all the instruments besides the trumpet and slide guitar on "Tropic" by brother and recording artist Eddy Blau.

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Karl Blau Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

These records are all over the place. My latest studio record Love & Harm consists of a modern country rock sound featuring the pedal steel of Jon Hyde (Introducing) and amazing players you'd recognize from playing on stage with me. Living in Germantown, Philadlephia, started a recording project called Opal Eskar, check that out too. ... more

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