Years ago I found an album (on vinyl - YEARS ago) by a guy named Stevan Pasero that was the Nutcracker played on classical guitar. It was pretty amazing and I gave it to a guitarist friend of mine, intending to purchase it again for myself. Of course, I never found it again (I just ordered it on CD from Amazon, although I have heard it is out of print). It did inspire a small quest of finding unusual versions of the Nutcracker for my Christmas listening pleasure. I have it by a mandolin group, played on toy instruments, by the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Duke Ellington's version, and my favorite, Spike Jones. Not to be confused with the more current Spike Jonze although they both have their quirks. The problem with Spike Jones is that once you hear his version you are ruined for life. Example: to the tune of the Dance of the Flutes: "D'ja ever see a tin flute dancing? Hmm? Ever see a piccolo could dance a jig? Here's the song they dance to when they get a chance to, it's a kind of a rinky-dinky ending with a whirligig." Can't ever take it seriously again.
NUTT CRACKERS