Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

How do you top this, the quintessential American classical composition, Rhapsody in Blue, played by the most American of musicians at the top of his form, Leonard Bernstein? Answer: you issue it in remastered sound! OK, so maybe it isn't the Beethoven Fifth, but this is a great and imaginative piece of music, with obvious jazz influences yet unmistakeably classical. Bernstein at the piano moves the work along at a breathless tempo, yet does not fail to savor its occasional reflective moments. A must have disc for anyone with even a passing interest in classical music.

This bids fair to be the most famous recording of American music ever made, so it's strange for the Amazon reviewer to condescend to LB's readings of Gerhswin, only to call it one of his best. The more renowned recording is Rhapsody in Blue with Bernstein at the piano and a pickup orchestra--no doubt recruited form the NY Phil.--that's bigger than a jazz band but still lean. (Arthur Fiedler's version, also famous, is far more square.) If anything, the American in Paris recording is better; I can't imagine a more vibrant reading. The orchestration is more symphonic than the Rhapsody, but LB makes sure that the rhythms swing. A ollector could stop and buy no other readings, but the ones by Andre Previn on EMI have updated sound and also come across with jazz spirit. The filler here is Grofe's once-famous Grand Canyon Suite, a negligible piece of fluff with truding donkeys and a thunderstorm. LB does it proud, however; one wonders if he even had to rehearse it--probably not.

I first heard the recording of "An American in Paris" on the radio, and I immediately concluded that this was a recording I needed to order. I ordered this CD solely for the recording of "An American in Paris", everything else was a bonus. "An American in Paris" was worth the price of the whole CD, but so is "Rhapsody in Blue", which I believe could easily be the definitive recording of this great work. Grofé's "Grand Canyon Suite" is a pleasant bonus, but not the substance of this recording. I would highly recommend this recording.

In response to K. Williams' 3-star review somewhere above:

"The assertion that Bernstein could "barely be bothered with Gershwin" is absurd. Bernstein had catholic musical tastes - was it that he couldn't be bothered by Prokofiev (he only recorded symphonies 1 & 5) or Shostakovich (only 1,5,6,9, and 14?) or Neilsen (only 3 & 5). Or perhaps his beloved Aaron Copland? Harris? Schuman? Berlioz? Verdi? Ravel? Dvorak? The list goes on and on.

Bernstein adored the Rhapsody In Blue. Just as he adored Stars & Stripes Forever. The comment that he could cut it up was made in reference to the magnificence of Gershwin composition - cut it up throw the pieces up in the air, re-assemble them - and it would still be recognizable as the Rhapsody In Blue.

As for this disc - it is, and remains one of the glories of the catalogue. Not simply Bernstein's catalogue, but of the historic legacy of recorded music. Not only for the Gershwin, but for the kitschy Americana of the Grofe.

Bernstein could barely be bothered with Gershwin, recording only the Rhapsody, An American in Paris, and the Three Preludes. He took just about every possible cut in the music (stating in one of his books that Gershwin could be cut and cut without harming the music), and ignored the composer's instructions as to tempo.

On the plus side, the ending sounds great -- nobody ever climbed the last stairway with such excitement. I'd almost swear he added some steps.

But it doesn't make up for the disdain he seemed to feel for the composer whose music gave him his big break. (Read his essay, "Why don't you write a nice Gershwin musical?" for more.)

Musical snobbery seems to have led Bernstein to spend most of his career running away from Gershwin, and damning him with faint praise when he said anything about him. I wish he'd loosened up a little, recorded more Gershwin, and showed more faith in the composer by playing it as written. He certainly had the ability! Just think what a job he could have done with the Concerto, or with Porgy and Bess.

No other director in the history has achieved such expression level and plain domain of the idiomatic lexicon of George Gershwin as Bernstein did it. There are two main reason for it, his enormous talent and his condition as pianist.

So, Gershwin may be very grateful because of that because for the posterity , the future newcomers in music will have the chance to analyze, scrutinize and explore all the factors that made possible this testimonial.

Totally recommended.

I am, definitely, absolutely and totally sold on Gershwin, so there is no question as to whether this CD is good or not, since it has Gershwin's two "hits", Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris, it is good and enjoyable. I only feel that the Ferde Grofé part, though outstanding, is too overpowering vis-a-vis the Gershwin part. But it is definitely an OK CD, no question about it.