Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue [Original recording remastered]

George Gershwin (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: George Gershwin
• Audio CD (May 13, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Shout Factory
• ASIN: B000098ZSS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,507 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #38 in Music > Pop > Oldies > Tin Pan Alley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Rhapsody In Blue", July 11, 2006

By 

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue (Audio CD)

"This piece (Rhapsody In Blue) seemed to sweep through my mind. It was the heart of America, the feverishness of life, the musical welter of races, of peoples, their joys and their passions, their dissipations and their exaltations." ~ George Gershwin (September 26, 1898 - July 11, 1937) ~

Today, July 11, 2006, marks the 69th death anniversary of one of America's most versatile songwriters, George Gershwin. The birth of one of my favorite jazz-infused-classical pieces, "Rhapsody In Blue" in 1924 made Mr. Gershwin an overnight and sensational star and had gained him a worldwide recognition. He had been my late parents' (and mine, too) favorite composer along with Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern and Cole Porter. His harmonious collaboration with his brother, Ira Gershwin, had produced the most beautiful songs of all-time. They were the most prolific team of songwriters and their compositions have been recorded countless times by famous interpreters of Great American Songbook such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, Michael Feinstein, Natalie Cole, Linda Ronstadt, Rod Stewart, Steve Tyrell, Diana Krall, John Pizzarelli, Michael Bublé and Chris Botti, among many others.

This CD is a musical treasure and one that I would strongly recommend not only to any Gershwin enthusiast but also to any new fan for this includes the original recording of "Rhapsody In Blue" from rare Piano Rolls. The sound quality is just terrific. It highlights two of his major works - "Rhapsody In Blue" (1924) and "An American In Paris" (1928). It also features some of his well-known popular songs and favorites of mine, my parents' theme songs "Our Love Is Here To Stay" and "Embraceable You." It has been said that Mr. Gershwin functioned best and had written his very best compositions at 3 o'clock in the morning and when he finish eight bars that he likes, he can finish a chorus in a few minutes, like the songs "`S Wonderful" and "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off." This recording also includes "Swanee," "Walkin' The Dog," "Somebody Loves Me," and "Oh, Lady Be Good."

It's so amazing that he composed frequently and never run out of inspirations for writing melodic tunes that are so pleasing to the ears. He can write three to five songs in a single afternoon. When he completed the melody of a song, he gives it to Ira to write words to it. He was such a genius and played the piano by ear after a fashion, tapping out the tunes with a finger.

Not known to many, Mr. Gershwin had tried his hand at painting. I've seen a portrait of himself that he painted a year before his death from brain cancer, and I would say, it's a beautiful work of art, almost like a work of a professional painter. He could have been a great painter.

George Gershwin will always be remembered as one of the greatest 20th Century composers and his music will always linger in the hearts of music lovers like me who truly appreciate and enjoy fine music.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a Great Collection, August 14, 2010

By 

B. Stockwell (San Francisco, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue (Audio CD)

This IS Gershwin but these particular recordings are very flat. One problem is the piano used in playing the piano rolls. Instead of a decent grand piano, the kind Gershwin favoured for composing with and performing on, the producers of this album chose a 1910 upright piano. So what? Well, the upright gives this music a cheap honky-tonk feeling that is very un-Gershwin. This music was not meant to sound as dinky and thin as it comes across here. The other problem is how little dynamics there are in these rolls, especially in the songs. The volume seems to be set on "7" and doesn't get soft or loud. Several piano roll technologies existed that caught every nuance of a performer's style. Not these. It's like hearing the notes recited flatly and accurately but with no style. Gershwin transcribed 18 of his favourite songs in a collection generally called The Gershwin Songbook. ANY recording of them goes light years beyond the flat renditions on this album. The Gershwin Songbook is what Gershwin really sounded like when he played his music. A VERY good rendition is by Peter Donohoe: Rhapsody in Blue / Piano Concerto / Songbook. I'm not saying "Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue" is garbage but with collections like the Donohoe version of the Songbook out there this CD can be skipped over without regret. Besides, the Donohoe disc includes a recording of the original jazz band version of the Rhapsody that is sensational.

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Let the Buyer Beware, January 11, 2007

By 

Three and Out (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue (Audio CD)

I do not disagree on any level with the other reviewers of this CD. However, the content is recorded from piano rolls rather than directly from the artist. This fact is not explicitly presented on the web page. Yes, if one clicks on the CD cover photo to get an enlarged image, one can read "First recording 1924 from rare piano rolls" at the bottom in small type. Not everyone will do this however. For this reason alone I only rate this product 3 stars.