Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite w/ Invincible Czars

You can’t throw a can of Lonestar in this town without hitting a band that claims to be “talented” and “unique,” but few have the jingle-chestnuts to step up and craft such an exceptional and original score to a well-loved classic as Austin’s own Invincible Czars.  In what has become a holiday tradition, the Czars have re-imagined Tchaikovsky’s original Nutcracker with twists of heavy metal fret-tapping and free-jazz convulsions, with country waltzes and jazzy shuffles to taste.   The result is a fresh sound suitable for a sugarplum fairy to totally trip out to. 

The musical language of their piece encompasses arena rock, classical arrangements, stereophonic grooves, spacey klezmer, circusy polka and overall Beefheart complexity. The Czars blend genres effortlessly and send them all hurtling back in a frenetic, yet sophisticated arrangement.  This is classical music like you've never heard before and a great way to get into the holiday spirit!  (John Gross)