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10-30-2010 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree
drdna
San Francisco, California
Posts 526
Joined on 10-29-2005

Post #: 1
Post ID: 14816
Reply to: 14816
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue
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
10-30-2010 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree
Paul S
San Diego, California, USA
Posts 2,571
Joined on 10-12-2006

Post #: 2
Post ID: 14817
Reply to: 14816
Mod Lite vs. "Traditional" Fare
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
10-31-2010 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree
Romy the Cat


Boston, MA
Posts 10,049
Joined on 05-28-2004

Post #: 3
Post ID: 14819
Reply to: 14816
I do not like Gershwin
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


"I wish I could score everything for horns." - Richard Wagner. "Our writing equipment takes part in the forming of our thoughts." - Friedrich Nietzsche
11-20-2011 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree
Paul S
San Diego, California, USA
Posts 2,571
Joined on 10-12-2006

Post #: 4
Post ID: 17399
Reply to: 14819
Pianist?
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
11-20-2011 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree
Romy the Cat


Boston, MA
Posts 10,049
Joined on 05-28-2004

Post #: 5
Post ID: 17400
Reply to: 17399
MTT and pianist.
fiogf49gjkf0d
Yes, he was:

http://www.amazon.com/Gershwin-Rhapsody-Cuban-Overture-American/dp/B000001GEK

However, I hear a few months ago a broadcast with Michael Tilson Thomas playing the Rhapsodies with some kind of Florida orchestra is I am not mistaken and it was very very good. I did record it.


"I wish I could score everything for horns." - Richard Wagner. "Our writing equipment takes part in the forming of our thoughts." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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