Customer Reviews

Rhapsody in Blue

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

 

 

My first thought was, "Who needs another version of Rhapsody in Blue?" A couple of listens to this CD provide the answer, giving all the explanation needed to justify Camilo's dive into Gershwin's symphonic repertoire. Though I've thought of the Dominican native as primarily a fiery Latin-derived player in the past, here we get an aural glimpse at the classical chops he developed studying for thirteen years at the National Conservatory on his native island. On this disc, his piano fronts the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, not only on Rhapsody, but also on Gershwin's Concerto in F. He closes the set with a solo reading of Gershwin's beautifully melancholic Prelude No. 2. What propels this recording above the many other available takes on these pieces is Camilo's jazz sensibilities. We're used to hearing them played by a non-improvising classical pianist, but here we get the real thing-Gershwin's jazz-inspired work played by a real jazzman. It's a perfect musical marriage.

---Originally published in Port Folio Weekly - March 28, 2006
copyright © 2006 Port Folio Weekly. Used by Permission.

How many recordings are there of the Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F, I wonder? It seems like dozens -- which makes the competition in this repertoire especially challenging. Michel Camilo comes from a jazz piano background, which supposedly makes his interpretations of these Gershwin classics more "authentic" than others in this repertoire. That may be, but accompanying the authenticity should be precise playing and correct notes -- which seem to be in short supply in certain parts. The mistakes are most noticeable toward the end of movements such as the 1st and 3rd in the Piano Concerto as well as the end of the Rhapsody, where Camilo's mental concentration seems to lag and his playing lurches out of control. It's actually painful to hear.

Also, for someone who is taking such a jazz-inspired approach to the interpretation, why opt for the "sanitized" Ferde Grofe orchestration in the Rhapsody when the original jazz orchestration is so much more idiomatic and spikey?

Even if there were only a few recordings to choose from in this repertoire, it would be hard to recommend these performances due to their technical flaws. But of course, we have a whole bevy of other choices; not only are there many very good recent recordings, you can also investigate numerous "historic" performers that will do you much better, such as Oscar Levant, Alec Templeton, Julius Katchen and Byron Janis. Even the raucous, hard-edged Earl Wild/Fiedler/Boston Pops reading of the Piano Concerto on RCA/BMG is a better bet than the earnest yet ultimately unsatisfying efforts of Michel Camilo & Co.

I have not bought a stinker yet from Telarc... One of the most beautiful piano sounds, and performance of this great piece from George Gershwin. It has been recorded many times from all the great labels and performers but this one has it all.

Muchos pensarán que es exagerado contar con una versión adicional del clásico de Gershwin. Finalmente, Camilo no resistió la tentación y nos obsequia con esta ejecución fiel a su estilo que ha desarrollado con los años. El gran pianista de República Dominicana hace una gran interpretación, la cual podría emplearse con fines didácticos. Aunque las comparaciones pueden resultar odiosas, sugiero escuchen la versión de Marcus Roberts para que escuchen la complementariedad en la asimilación de la música de Gershwin.
Jazzmaniaqro desde México.

Michael Camilo performs an outstanding rendition of Gershwin's classic. I expected additional renditions on this CD.