Search - George Gershwin, Steuart Bedford, Ann Rachlin :: Ann Rachlin's Classic Music & Stories: An Americat in Paris

Discontinued - Americat in Paris - the story behind this rec

Ann Rachlin | Icklesham England | 10/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am Ann Rachlin and I wrote the words and set them to the music of George Gershwin's "An American in Paris". I obtained full permission from the Gershwin Estate and for years was able to perform the piece for my pupils and audiences in sessions and in concert. Then it was released on tape cassette again with the approval of the Gershwin Estate. When we moved from tape cassette to CD, we were just about to launch the new CD series in the USA , when we told that the Gershwin Estate prohibited the release of the CD of American in Paris because I "sang" with the music. We had to withdraw all the CDs and undertake never to release the version again. We were, however, permitted to sell off any that were already in the shops. d'Note Records, who had the rights to sell my work in the USA at that time - they no longer hold that right - had to undertake to take all copies off the market. Some obviously are still around and seem to be collector's items as they are so outragously highly priced secondhand on amazon.com

It was very sad that the Gershwin Estate banned this version as it was adored by children all over the world and was a superb way to introduce them to the great music of George Gershwin - who still remains one of my favourite composers.

All the other 17 titles in my series are still avaiable."