Nice Work If You Can Get It, song (from A Damsel in Distress, film)
Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away), song (from Show Girl, musical)
But Not for Me, song (from Girl Crazy, musical)
Sweet and Low-Down, song (from Tip-Toes, musical)
Love Is Here to Stay, song (from The Goldwyn Follies, film)
On Gershwin Fantasy, Joshua Bell's Stradivari embraces the lyrical spirit of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess with more success than most vocalists. Accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra, Bell's violin literally sings thro... more »ugh "It Ain't Necessarily So," "Summertime," "I Got Rhythm," and "Love Is Here to Stay," while John Williams (Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List) serves double duty as conductor and pianist on several tracks. Three Preludes employs the violin and piano transcription by Jascha Heifetz, a longtime Gershwin friend, and features Bell at his jazziest. Even Gershwin himself--well, the recording of a 1926 piano roll of the composer--joins the virtuoso on the swinging "Sweet and Low-Down." --Jason Verlinde« less
On Gershwin Fantasy, Joshua Bell's Stradivari embraces the lyrical spirit of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess with more success than most vocalists. Accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra, Bell's violin literally sings through "It Ain't Necessarily So," "Summertime," "I Got Rhythm," and "Love Is Here to Stay," while John Williams (Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List) serves double duty as conductor and pianist on several tracks. Three Preludes employs the violin and piano transcription by Jascha Heifetz, a longtime Gershwin friend, and features Bell at his jazziest. Even Gershwin himself--well, the recording of a 1926 piano roll of the composer--joins the virtuoso on the swinging "Sweet and Low-Down." --Jason Verlinde
"Joshua Bell, one of the finest violinists around, is obviously in charge of his own career, what & where he plays and what he records. This album of Gershwin music is so wonderful, it'll put you in a good mood, whistling down the street as soon as you hear it: the FANTASY FOR VIOLIN AND ORCHESTRA ON PORGY AND BESS is as good or better than the famous CARMEN FANTASY by Sarasate which violinists all over the world make part of their repertoire. Nine different excerpts from Gershwin's opera are blended beautifully and movingly in this arrangement by Alexander Courage. The THREE PRELUDES (originally for piano solo) are the ones that Heifetz did for himself. Bell shines in these pieces. And then there are the songs: 7 in all including "Love Is Here To Stay," "Liza," "I Got Rhythm" and others. Bell makes his violin sing. Buy this CD for yourself or as a gift along with Bell's new version of Bernstein's WEST SIDE STORY SUITE. You'll make someone very happy with these wonderful CD's of 20th century American popular music. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"
THERE'S BETTER, BEST, AND THEN BELL!
Gail Cooke | TX, USA | 08/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A mid 19th century French poet wrote that his heart was wounded by the violin's "long sobs." If that versifier were alive today and heard "Gershwin Fantasy", his heart would surely be wounded but it would also be warmed and made joyous in response to the glorious music of America's premier young violinist, Joshua Bell. The commendatory matching of John Williams, the London Symphony Orchestra, George Gershwin, and Bell on this CD results in one of the most enriching musical experiences in many a day. With Williams at the piano Bell is both assured and daring. The Porgy and Bess fantasy stirs with its poignancy and sets foots to tapping with its jubilance. With original violin arrangements by Jascha Heifetz, the Three Preludes are hauntingly lovely as Bell performs with technical precision and compelling grace. Seldom has "I Got Rhythm" been as zestfully played or "Embraceable You" enjoyed such a sweetly skillful rendering - poignant lyricism at its best. Joshua Bell gives a virtuoso performance as he plays with his mind, heart, and, yes, his soul. We are the beneficiaries."
Bell Rings in Gershwin's Best
Kenneth S. Wheelock | Pittsfield, MA USA | 01/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While listening to a rehearsal of "Porgy and Bess" George Gershwin is reputed to have said "this music is so beautiful I can hardly believe I wrote it." Listening to Joshua Bell's Stradivarius sing through Aexander Corage's Gershwin Fantasy on Porgy and Bess shows the truth of Gershwin's remark. This is Gershwin at his best, snazzy, sexy, sophisticated and lyrical. Mr. Bell must have attended a seance where Gershwin's spirit was summoned up to coach him because he is in tune with Gershwin's idiom, from laughter to tears. The three Preludes, arranged by Heifetz are if anything even jazzier than the original piano only version. This is helped by Mr. Williams outstanding accompaniment, it makes one long for a John Williams performace of the Rhapsody in Blue and the Concerto in F its so good. What can one say about Gershwin songs (orchestrated for violin and orchestra) that hasn't already been said - this is a perfect recording. Joshua Bell may have once been criticized for technically flawless and mechanical playing when he began concertizing, that is no more - he knows how to laugh and sing, dance for joy, and weep all while playing his fiddle. The remarkable thing about it all is it all comes through the recording process. Truly a stunning tour de force - a homage to one of the greatest figures in modern American music, George Gershwin."
Who could ask for anything more?
Kenneth S. Wheelock | 03/11/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Combine the swingin' tunes of Gershwin with the talent of someone like Bell and you get something wonderful. Josh Bell's unique, lyrical style makes every track a joy to listen to. You can tell he loves the music, and when Josh loves the music, wonderful things happen. The Gershwin Fantasy itself is well-arranged, and as always, Joshua Bell gets to slip one of his own cadenzas into the piece. After listening to the Fantasy and the Three Preludes, you get the feeling that Bell was meant to play Gershwin. And when you get to the series of short pieces arranged for violin and orchestra, you know it for sure. Bell's singing tone is just right for all these tunes, especially "Sweet and Low-Down". This track is so fun to listen to, you will be snapping your fingers and wigglin' your bootie to it long after you finish hearing it. This CD was worth my money. Sure, it's crossover, but it's a blast. Why this didn't win a Grammy, I don't know. Two thumbs up."
Genius for musical nuance...
Arvle S. Potter | Canyon, TX United States | 01/27/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"On my first hearing of Joshua Bell I was compelled to listen without knowing why. Now I know, after listening to his Gershwin CD. I know of very, very few musicians who have a genius for presenting musical content so precisely, and Joshua Bell is right at the top. One hardly misses the words from Gershwin's arias and songs, so accute is Bell's sense of just the right nuance for any musical moment. From his most suitable rubato to his penchant for the precisely appropriate sonority, he is a most eloquent player, and it all flows from him so naturally with no evidence of contrivance. I want to hear as much of him as possible!"