{"id":16269,"date":"2013-11-27T07:49:02","date_gmt":"2013-11-27T12:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=16269"},"modified":"2013-11-27T07:57:20","modified_gmt":"2013-11-27T12:57:20","slug":"daily-album-review-23-torontos-ensemble-polaris-engagingly-cracked-nutcracker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2013\/11\/27\/daily-album-review-23-torontos-ensemble-polaris-engagingly-cracked-nutcracker\/","title":{"rendered":"Daily album review 23: Toronto’s Ensemble Polaris engagingly cracked Nutcracker"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"nutcracker\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The banjo licks that kickstart the new Nutcracker Nouveau<\/em> album by Toronto’s Ensemble Polaris tell us loud and clear — and with the broadest possible wink — that this is not grandma’s Peter Ilytch Tchaikovsky.<\/p>\n

That bluegrassy opening Trepak, arranged by Polaris multi-instrumentalist Kirk Elliott, is stuffed full of the unexpected, including a bit of vocalise and even a boisterously shouted-Russian toast to Tchaikovsky.<\/p>\n

This musical party is a survey of the Nutckacker<\/em> ballet suite, reimagined by the members of Ensemble Polaris as a let’s-sit-around-the-fireplace-and-have-a-good-time jam. Tchaikovsky’s original ideas are there, repainted in different musical colours.<\/p>\n

In honour of the Russian Expedition<\/em> subtitle, the suite is peppered with culturally-resonant extras, such as Marco Cera’s\u00a0 band-encompassing arrangement of Two Guitars.<\/p>\n

The waltzing flowers are, I would argue, even more engaging as light-footed lasses accompanied by accordion, flute, clarinet and (I think) mandolin. And why not add a bagpipe to play both the sinewy opening to Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring<\/em> as well as the Overture to the Nutcracker<\/em> at the end instead of the beginning?<\/p>\n

It’s all silly, cheeky musical mirth that miraculously never tips over the precipice into the ridiculous. It pokes fun at tradition while also respecting and honouring it. Nutcracker Nouveau<\/em> is entertainment as well as a showcase of what imaginative musicians can do with even the most hallowed of traditions.<\/p>\n

I also love the fact that no one in this happy band really cares which genre line they happen to cross at any given moment. So here’s to Na Zdorovie<\/em> shots of vodka not just for Tchaikovsky but also for Torontonians Marco Cera, Kirk Elliott, Margaret Gay, Katherine Hill, Alison Melville, Colin Savage, Debashis Sinha and Jeffrey Wilson.<\/p>\n

You’ll find sound samples and downloads for the album — released on Melville and Savage’s Pipistrelle label — here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

+++<\/p>\n

Ensemble Polaris is having a launch party, complete with a live set of Nutcrackery, at the Edward Day Gallery (952 Queen St W.) on Friday (Nov. 29) at 8 p.m. There will be a cover charge of $5. Info: 416-588-4301.<\/p>\n

+++<\/p>\n

To send us out, here are the Polar-ized Sugar Plum Fairies (the recorded version, which evolved out of this early performance, is considerably more polished):<\/p>\n