Search - Fazil Say, Kurt Masur :: Gershwin / Fazil Say, New York PO

This is one of my absolute favorite Gershwin CD's

Joanna Daneman | Middletown, DE USA | 12/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's some rather rare pieces on this CD--including the wonderful cakewalk Novelette in Fourths. Gershwin wrote some wonderful jazz-style preludes for piano, but usually only three are recorded. There are a number of other short piano works that are delightful and practically impossible to find on CD. Fortunately, they are here, along with some favorites from Porgy and Bess and other piano arrangements of Gershwin songs such as the virtuoso "I Got Rhythm" variations. What's really great is that Fazil Say plays these with humor and lightness. No heavy, pseudo-scholarly seriousness here. He makes the most of his pianistic skill and yet retains the spirit of Gershwin's playfulness and fun. This is definitely a must-have if you love Gershwin."

Great and subtle pianist

Chris Honingh | Krommenie, NH Netherlands | 12/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although everything on this disc is also heavily recorded by others, Fazil Say has indeed found new arrangements to the songs and pieces, which made George Gershwin famous. Maybe The Rapsody in Blue is the one that has been recorded most, by any standard. But nevertheless the comparison between versions is always interesting, mostly due to the work itself. Fazil Say has a more jazzy approach than let's say, Michael Tilson Thomas or even Alicia Zizzo (the latter is better than that of Tilson Thomas). With Fazil Say you hear that Gershwins music is firmly rooted in ragtime and music hall, the piano being the one they use in a bar, in most other interpretations there is the tendency to use a grand piano, typically concertlike. Although Gershwin craved to be a concertcomposer (he even went to Paris to ask Ravel to teach him), his strength laid in jazzy, vaudeville-like sharpness, and above all, syncopated music. It was music to dance to. His songs mostly transcend the lightness of musical (music hall) songs, which he wrote together with his brother Ira. In addition, especially Porgy and Bess, which is an opera true to the word, is simultaneously impressing and touching, though halfheartedly unemancipating in its use of so called Negro language. However, Fazil Say has nothing to do with that, and his interpretations are wonderful, in the songs his piano really sings, you do not miss the voice of the singer. In addition, I will not forget to mention the New York Philharmonic under Kurt Masur, who gives an outstanding performance, surprising and full of the necessary rhythm and drive.The sound quality is excellent, especially brass and percussion. The quintet that accompanies Say in the first four numbers is up to its job and more. The sound of the piano is very well captured."

I heard this CD highlighted on the radio today

Michael Caruso | Boston, MA | 06/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My local public radio station was playing cuts from this CD all morning as a way to get people interested in pledging money. I already made my donation, so I thought I would give Amazon.com some attention for a change. I was very impressed with what I heard. The arrangements are a mixture of Fazil being backed by a small quintet and the New York Philharmonic. He can play piano! Enjoy!"