During his lifetime, Ellington managed to put his name to a Broadway musical, "Beggars Holiday," a ballet, "The River," and the column soundtrack of a feature film, Anatomy of a Murder. Some of his most interesting music dates back to the period when he wrote in the classical style. What makes his music so interesting is that it sounds so much like Beethoven, but there is an underlying jazz feel to the music. This is something very unique in his writing. What's even more amazing is knowing that Duke practically taught himself harmony and that his vast knowledge of musical arranging came from experimentation with his band. Just as a chemist learns and creates in the laboratory, Ellington used his band to learn and create. Duke, however, was no match for Father Time. When death crept upon Duke Ellington, he began writing liturgical music. His most famous piece was "In the Beginning God", written for orchestral choir and soloist. Even in this case he managed to maintain a jazz background