Track Listings (7) - Disc #1| All Artists: George Gershwin, Ferde Grofe, Leonard Bernstein, Columbia Symphony Orchestra Title: Bernstein Century - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, etc Members Wishing: 0 Total Copies: 0 Label: Sony Release Date: 10/28/1997 Genre: Classical Styles: Forms & Genres, Concertos, Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music, Instruments, Keyboard Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC: 074646308622 |
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Search - George Gershwin, Ferde Grofe, Leonard Bernstein :: Bernstein Century - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, etc
 | George Gershwin, Ferde Grofe, Leonard Bernstein Bernstein Century - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, etc Genre: Classical
Back in the 1950s and '60s, when George Gershwin was taken for granted more than he was respected, Leonard Bernstein was one of his only champions in high-classical-music circles, and to judge from these recordings, he got... more » |
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Amazon.com Back in the 1950s and '60s, when George Gershwin was taken for granted more than he was respected, Leonard Bernstein was one of his only champions in high-classical-music circles, and to judge from these recordings, he got away with a lot. He would seem to be attempting to out-swagger Arthur Fiedler in the jazzier passages, but on the plus side, what can sound freeze-dried with some conductors has a welcome heat here, especially in An American in Paris. That piece receives one of its best-ever recordings and sounds great in the bright, clear recording venue, Brooklyn's Hotel St. George. However, Bernstein's tempo extremes tax the cohesion of Rhapsody in Blue. And Grofé's Grand Canyon Suite receives a sympathetic performance, though the acoustics of the Lincoln Center recording venue are so cavernous and diffuse you'd think it was recorded in the location of the title. --David Patrick Stearns Similar CDsSimilarly Requested CDs
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CD ReviewsThe finest Rhapsody in Blue you can buy S. Hawkins | New York, NY | 12/16/2001 (5 out of 5 stars) "That's no exaggeration, Bernstein played and conducted this work with all the swagger inherent in this piece. Listen to the gorgeously laid-back piano strut at 8:14...it has all the attitude that Gershwin could have possibly wanted. Suddenly, Bernstein at 9:05 jumps out with the urgent variation on this original theme. To put it bluntly, Bernstein can play the hell out of this music.It's not just that he's technically a wizard at this piece, it's that he TRULY feels the music. Rhapsody in Blue isn't jazz, but isn't quite classical either...it exemplifies the sort of "middle ground" that is more common in pieces nowadays. Listen to Bernstein's rhythms. He does not strictly swing, nor does he strictly plays eigths notes straight. He sticks to a middle ground, throwing in swung eights notes not randomly, but where doing so makes the music more impetuous.The orchestra? Top-notch. The clarinet soloist at the beginning perfectly shows how much klezmer influence is in this music. Or the violin soloist who comes in at c11 minutes...it's heartwrenching. In fact, at 10:10, the orchestra's theme is so sensuously and lusciously beautiful that it will bring tears to your eyes.Overall, this piece jumps from mood to mood...and is not subtle. Bernstein gets this, and wears his Romanticism on his sleeve. He rides the mood swings of this piece beautifully. It's a masterpiece performed by a master. And, at a mid-range price like this, how could you refuse?" Perfect J. Buxton | Waltham, MA United States | 01/24/2000 (5 out of 5 stars) "If ever there was a musician born to play this music, it is Bernstein. His combination of skills as conductor and pianist, as well as his background in writing for the theatre, makes him the foremost interpreter of these works. His Rhapsody(now made even more well known by being the United Airlines theme) is marvellous, jazzy, swinging, and yet also profoundly thoughtful and musical. The only version of this work that even approaches this one is Bernstein's later version with the LA Philharmonic on the Deutsche Grammophon label. But this one is better, and the accompanying American in Paris and Grofe also represent the kind of sound that makes this music uniquely "American". Don't hesitate." Excellent J. Buxton | 11/02/1998 (5 out of 5 stars) "At first, I was put off by Bernstein's interpretation of "Rhapsody in Blue." He changes some of the timing, especially in the piano solos. Now I see that his interpretation is wonderful: he reads some very sensual, bluesy phrasings in Gershwin's work. I really enjoyed this one. Don't make it your first copy of Gershwin, but do get it for a change of pace."
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