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 2,658 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 10,159 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 2,658 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 10,159 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