Bernstein Century - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris; Grofe

George Gershwin (Composer), Ferde Grofe (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor, Performer), Columbia Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Leonard Bernstein
• Orchestra: Columbia Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: George Gershwin, Ferde Grofe
• Audio CD (October 28, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029XJ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,311 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #33 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Tone Poems
  • #71 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Keyboard > Piano

Editorial Reviews

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, January 24, 2000

By 

J. Buxton "cantabile" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bernstein Century - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris; Grofe (Audio CD)

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.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, November 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Bernstein Century - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris; Grofe (Audio CD)

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.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ra, ra, sis, boom, bah!, October 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bernstein Century - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris; Grofe (Audio CD)

This album, in my opinion, is as about as close to perfect as these pieces ['Rhapsody in Blue' and 'An American in Paris'] will ever be performed. Bernstein kicks it up a notch to where you'll want to listen to it again and again. Truly, a top notch performance of these two pieces.