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The Symphonic Ellington
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Pianist Ethan Iverson wrote, "Every Ellington record I've ever heard has a unique ambience. Thick harmonic complexity sits deep inside blues and swing. There are larger Ellington compositions where he is stretching the form and apparently putting his hat into the ring as a great composer."In this hour, you'll hear Duke Ellington's most impressive symphonic works. "The Harlem Suite" was originally commissioned by Arturo Toscanini and was performed by both the Ellington Orchestra and symphony orchestras. "A New World A-Comin" was Ellington's piano concerto. "The River" was a ballet commissioned by the American Ballet Theatre for choreographer Alvin Ailey. Duke's son Mercer Ellington felt it was Ellington's greatest work.
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