Gershwin Plays Gershwin

George Gershwin (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 16, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B000053HK5
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,184 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #49 in Music > Pop > Oldies > Tin Pan Alley

Track Listings

1. Swanee

2. Sweet And Low Down

3. That Certain Feeling

4. Looking For A Boy

5. When Do We Dance?

6. Do-Do-Do

7. Someone To Watch Over Me

8. Clap Yo' Hands

9. Maybe

10. My One And Only

11. 'S Wonderful - Funny Face

12. Rhap In Blue

13. Prld No.1

14. Prld No.2

15. Prld No.3

16. Rhap In Blue: Andante

17. Second Rhap

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Recordings of George Gershwin's Piano Improvisations, August 8, 2006

By 

David A. Iacone "Phil88" (Havertown, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gershwin Plays Gershwin (Audio CD)

This low priced CD is the greatest presentation of George Gershwin's incredible improvisational skill, reworking his popular hits of the day into complex arrangements that can hold the interest of the 'most discriminating music lover.' These disc recordings are much more lifelike than the well known piano-roll CDs. On this Cd Gershwin's filled-in tenth cords in his left hand along with his consecutive four-note chord spreads to the octave with his right, cross rhythms, and virtuoso embellishments give the piano arrangements a full sound. The recording of 'Swanee' is a small 1919 group recording of the Van Eps Quartet with a young George Gershwin at the piano and Nathan Glantz on the saxaphone. The Van Eps Quartet plays in a yiddish sounding style which accents Swanee's rooting in yiddish music. The next recordings are of George Gershwin at the piano recorded in 1926 and 1928. This CD also includes the 1924 Paul Whiteman orchestra recording of 'Rhapsody in Blue' with the composer at the piano. The arrangement was shortened to about 9 minutes in order to fit onto the two sides of a 78rmp record, but I think this is the best recording of 'Rhapsody in Blue' ever recorded, because this was recorded when 'Rhapsody in Blue' was New, Exciting, and Full of Life. This recording lets the humor that was originally intended by Gershwin shine through. His own recording of his three preludes is the best rendition of the popular preludes. Gershwin stands as the best performer of his own works, and this CD is the best example of his own playing. The improvisations of his show tunes on this CD are much more fleshed out than his brief radio recordings available elsewhere, although I recommend trying to find all of his recordings. Gershwin's solo piano arrangement of the Andante section of Rhapsody in Blue is another opportunity to hear George play his own material. The last recording on the disc is a 1931 rehersal of 'Second Rhapsody' which George Gershwin had recorded onto disc by NBC for him to listen to. Once again, George Gershwin is the best interpreter of his own works, and this CD is the best document of Gershwin playing Gershwin.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DON'T BUY THE MP3, November 15, 2009

By 

Mark Kessler "mickeymilo" (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gershwin Plays Gershwin (Audio CD)

I bought the mp3 version, wanting instant gratification just like any patriotic American. But beware - the mp3 is NOT this album! It is a few selections from the piano rolls - and you can get pretty much all the piano roll recordings cheaper just by buying the CDs. If you want original recordings of Gershwin playing his own works, not a machine playing them, you have to buy this CD. Please - be careful. Amazon is not above false and misleading advertising.