Posted by drdna on
10-30-2010
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fiogf49gjkf0d I just stumbled across what I thought to be a very nice rendition of Rhapsody in Blue with Herbie Hancock at the piano:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PRRzXBwXTY
Just wondering what other folks' favorite versions are?
I vascilate between Bernstein's adaptation and Levant's more traditional version.
Adrian
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Posted by Paul S on
10-30-2010
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fiogf49gjkf0d Adrian, I suspect that many of us "of a certain age" unconsciously think of Berstein/Columbia SO as the "original" version!
I would have to hear the Herbie/Lang Lang version under better circumstances. On first hearing, it is too "lite" for me. This version seems oddly devoid of a certain "tension" I associate with the work, to the point that I "miss" it here.
Nice playing, however. Very clean; "refreshing"...
Best regards, Paul S
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Posted by Romy the Cat on
10-31-2010
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fiogf49gjkf0d I do not like Gershwin and I do not like Rhapsody in Blue. I call it all the “elevator music”. I also very much do not like how they shot the whole performing event – this is new fashionable CNN style of camera work is very amusical and more suitable for Liberace performances. Though this specific Rhapsody in Blue might be very much Liberace-inspired sonata, the only things is missing there was André Rieu jumping in the stage naked and play holding a bow in his mouth while dancing a naked riverdance….
I know that Gershwin lover would not agree with me but I do not like Gershwin… BTW, did Gershwin record his entire repertoire himself in 20s? I wonder if the Gershwin own recording now considered by Gershwin livers as anything good.
A few year ago a friend of my who loves Gershwin, pitched me the recordings of Gershwin by Chicago Symphony under James Levine. It was very good play…
The Cat
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Posted by Paul S on
11-20-2011
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fiogf49gjkf0d Romy, was Levine also at the piano in the recording(s) you refer to? I am always skeptical of the "dual role" soloist/conductor recordings; but it would be nice indeed if someone actually pulled it off with great performances.
Paul S
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