Gershwin - Porgy and Bess / White · Haymon · Blackwell · Baker · LPO · Sir Simon Rattle

George Gershwin (Artist), Simon Rattle (Artist), Willard White (Artist), Cynthia Haymon (Artist), London Philharmonic Orcherstra (Artist), The Glyndebourne Chorus (Artist), Harolyn Blackwell (Artist), Michael Forest (Artist), Colenton Freeman (Artist), Damon Evans (Artist), Gregg Baker (Artist), Marietta Simpson (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 1997)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000002RX8
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #152,408 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
An uncut Porgy & Bess may well be too long in the theater. On CD, though, you can play one act at a time, letting Gershwin's wide-eyed, inexhaustibly inventive score run its course at leisure in the comforts of your rumpus room. Some listeners might find Sir Simon Rattle's tempos on the draggy side, but he's got Gershwin's syncopated idiom down cold. Similarly, the singers fuse Gershwin's prodigious musical demands with effortless, characterful diction more succesfully than in other recordings, abetted by engineering that is both atmospheric and richly detailed. Full texts and excellent annotations round off this stellar achievement based on the highly acclaimed 1989 Glyndebourne Opera production. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Recording, January 4, 2000

By	[e-mail] (Seattle) - See all my reviews

Like Amazon.com and the previous reviewer, I agree wholeheartedly. I have owned several recordings of this opera, as it is one of my favorites- and this is the best one out there.

I had read all the opera guides and they ALL said this is the recording to get- I don't know why I bought so many others - but they have since been sold.

The singing is immaculate and Rattle is the perfect Gershwin conductor.

Like the previous reviewer I agree with "Bess you is my woman now." Willard White is the PERFECT Porgy and his "Oh, I got plenty o nuttin'" is simply incredible. Blackwell is wonderful as Clara and the only woman I've heard sing "Summertime" better is the great Leotyne Pryce! As well, Simpson is a great Maria and "I hates yo struttin' style" is so great. I love that song and just laugh every time- she has great delivery. The highlight for me though is Evans "It ain't necessarily so." He sings this the way it seems like it should be sung.

Those are a few of the highlights on this incredible recording of a great American masterpiece.

As well, it is very fitting that this recording is with an all African-American cast... It sounds natural to these singers, and they deliver a great package.

I was very surprised to see negative reviews of this recording...because it is incredible.

I rate this up there with Giulini's "Don Giovanni," Callas' "Tosca," and Karajan's "Die Meistersinger" as some of the greatest recordings ever.

You won't regret this purchase. It's a classic!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Porgy and Bess, May 30, 2001

By	D. A Wend (Buffalo Grove, IL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I cannot agree with the prior reviews that found this recording of Porgy and Bess so wanting. Perhaps they grew up listening to a recording that they think is the gospel and don't want to consider another. I certainly cannot agree with them on the quality of the recording, which is excellent.

The Rattle recording is among the very best of Porgy and Bess. Coming off performances at Glyndeborne, there is a confidence in all involved, singers, orchestra and chorus, that makes this a great rendering of George Gershwin's opera. It was the winner of the 1989 Gramophone Award for Opera, and I think if the Rattle recording received the highest number of votes there is a good reason behind it.

I think an unbiased listener will find this a marvelous recording; one you will want to keep for years.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent recording of a memorable production, October 15, 1999

By	Stephen Swift (London UK) - See all my reviews

Rattle's Porgy was a revalation in the theatre (Glyndeborne and Royal Opera House) placing Gershwin firmly in the list of operatic masters of the C20th. This sumptuous recording brings it all back - I've owned it since it came out and listen to it frequently with enormous pleasure. The White/Hayman rendering of "Bess you is my woman now" is for my money one of the great operatic duets on record - beautiful and deeply moving. Rattle handles it all with consumate care and skill. Buy it.