Gershwin: Porgy and Bess/American in Paris

On this CD:

1. Girl Crazy, musical Overture
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Don Rose with Howard Shelley

2. Variations on "I Got Rhythm" for piano and orchestra (or 2 Pianos)
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Don Rose with Howard Shelley

3. An American in Paris, tone poem for orchestra
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Don Rose with Howard Shelley

4. Catfish Row, symphonic suite (from Porgy and Bess) Symphonic Suite: Catfish Row~Catfish Row
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Don Rose with Howard Shelley

5. Catfish Row, symphonic suite (from Porgy and Bess) Symphonic Suite: Catfish Row~Porgy Sings
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Don Rose with Howard Shelley

6. Catfish Row, symphonic suite (from Porgy and Bess) Symphonic Suite: Catfish Row~Fugue
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Don Rose with Howard Shelley

7. Catfish Row, symphonic suite (from Porgy and Bess) Symphonic Suite: Catfish Row~Hurricane
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Don Rose with Howard Shelley

8. Catfish Row, symphonic suite (from Porgy and Bess) Symphonic Suite: Catfish Row~Good Mornin', Sistuh
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Don Rose with Howard Shelley

9. Strike Up the Band, musical verture
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Don Rose with Howard Shelley

Tracks:

Rhapsody In Blue
Cuban Overture
'Porgy and Bess' Suite
An American In Paris

Customer Reviews:

As good as any Rhapsody.......2006-11-11

I've also got Bernstein and Wild and this Rhapsody is as good as any of them. But the real reason to buy this recording is for the couplings--which are far better than the rest. The Cuban Overture absolutely ROCKS.

Everybody gives you "American in Paris" with the Rhapsody, but, come on, Porgy & Bess AND the Cuban Overture vs. Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite or the Piano Concerto in C? No contest!

Good intro to Gershwin - Great gift.......2006-08-05

Bought this CD for our 7-year-old daughter for her birthday. She loves it. Certainly didn't listen to it once and set it aside. She even takes it in the car.

In short, it's a nice performance of some of Gershwin's best work. Very enjoyable.

Outstanding performance and sound engineering.......2005-10-24

I am not a sound engineer but, clearly something was done outstandingly right in the production of this CD. I have listened to this CD on several different stereo systems with the same result: crystal clear sound that gives the impression that the instruments are right in front of you. I would add that I do not have an SACD version of this CD, nor an SACD player, nor a hi-end expensive stereo system. Nevertheless, the sound quality of this CD was noticeably superior to that of the recordings of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and American in Paris that I have with Bernstein and Ormandy conducting. Part of the superior sound quality of this recording is due to its being digital, whereas Bernstein and Ormandy were recorded in analog. However, I have hundreds of other CDs that were recorded digitally and comparatively few have a sound quality that is as fresh, sharp, and, simply put, as outstanding as the one on this CD.

In addition to the freshness and immediacy of the sound, the playing of both the orchestra and of Levine as the piano soloist in Rhapsody in Blue are the best that I have heard amongst my various recordings of this work. I had never heard James Levine as a pianist before, only as a conductor, and was very pleasantly surprised at the excellence of his performance. There is a real joyful dynamic energy on this CD, together with a quality that is not apparent on the other recordings I own of Rhapsody in Blue - a feeling of playfulness, and even humor. I got the distinct feeling as I listened to this CD (several times, and always with great pleasure) that the orchestra and conductor/pianist were thoroughly enjoying themselves. All of the selections on this CD radiate with outstanding musicianship coupled with tremendous energy and love of life. This is one of my desert island CDs. I give it my highest recommendation.

The Finest Recordings of These Four Selections.......2004-03-13

George Gershwin (1898-1937) first made a name for himself as the composer of one memorable popular song after another--songs that have proven remarkably durable and have entered our collective consciousness to become "great standards" by which others are judged. In 1924 he began to leap the gulf between "popular" and "serious" music, and between 1924 and his untimely death in 1937 he created a number of famous works--but although he is regarded as a genius today, it was not so at the time. For then as now, "serious" composers and critics were an insular group, and many considered his fusion of jazz, strong melodic lines, and symphonic treatments at best pretentious, at worst common.

In the wake of Gershwin's untimely death, many of his works underwent a facelift of sorts, with various composers reworking the material in an effort to give it more snob appeal: the original arrangements were touched up, retoned, and in general fiddled with--and today it is almost impossible to find a recording of a Gershwin piece recorded as originally written. But here Chicago Symphony conductor James Levine accomplishes the impossible, restoring four major Gershwin pieces to either original or near-original condition.

The great reason to purchase this CD is "Rhapsody in Blue," which will come as a revelation to listeners accustomed to hearing the piece awash in strings, for here it is returned to all the sharp edged, strident, and jazzy glory of the original 1924 Ferde Grafe arrangement for the Paul Whiteman orchestra. And it is stunning, clean, a true period jewel that is ultimately the definitive musical statement of the Deco era; hearing it performed in this stripped-down original version is akin to seeing a beautiful gemstone purged of a vulgar setting and restored to true brilliance.

Also notable are "Cuban Overture" and "Catfish Row," both of which are performed essentially as Gershwin created them. "Cuban Overture" has never been one of Gershwin's most popular concert pieces--but listening to it here one is hard pressed to know why; certainly less melodic than other Gershwin constructions for orchestra, it is nonetheless a magical thing that combines a sense of ocean and tropical flavors to tremendous effect. "Catfish Row," of course, is drawn from Gershwin's opera "Porgy and Bess"--but should not be confused with the various suites typically heard, for it was actually arranged by George Gershwin himself and offers a pleasing (and to my mind far superior) variation on these oft-heard themes.

Unfortunately, not all of the original arrangements survive. (Liner notes indicate that even "Cuban Overture" is slightly effected in this regard.) The arrangements for "An American in Paris" received an overhaul around 1947; the originals have been lost forever, and it is performed here very much as we are accustomed to hearing it. Still, Levine and company give it tremendous style and substance in execution, and without knowing what the original arrangements were like we would be hard pressed to fault them in the performance.

Whatever the case, when it comes to these four selections, and particularly so re the legendary "Rhapsody in Blue," this is the recording to have. Everything here is flawless--and very often unlike anything you've previously heard when approaching these works. Strongly recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Gershewin is the Master of Mixing Jazz and Big Band.......2001-12-26

Gershwin lived a short life but the pieces he made are marvelous. His fusion of jazz of big band creates a unique sound that is very pleasing. Listening to a Rhapsody in Blue, or An American in Paris always gives the feeling of a big bustling American city in its prime, full of rich color and glamour. Uneven, busy syncopated rythyms by the brass and percussion add the sense of the workaholic society of America during its time. It's the old timely sound to it all that makes Gershwin's so songs irresistable to the ear. Cuban Overture sounds equally robust and majestic, complete with native Cuban percussion, and the "Porgy and Bess" Suite, while operatic and huge in proportion, doesn't stray far from its jazz roots. The Chicago Symphony played the music with gusto and vigor, and James Levine thoughtfully interpreted each piece with the utmost care the way Gershwin had intended it. I highly recommend this piece to anyone with a fine taste in the big band, all-American sound. Of all the music I've heard, Gershwin's music sounds the most American of them all.

Average customer rating:

Muffled
Somewhat disappointing.
Gershwin At His Best in Hearts!
The best America has to offer!!

George Gershwin: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
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Binding: Audio CD

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Sergei Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits
Debussy's Greatest Hits

ASIN: B000002A1T
Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

Strike Up The Band
Rhapsody In Blue
Prelude No. 1
Piano Concerto In F
An American In Paris
Prelude No. 3
Medley From Porgy And Bess
Fascinating Rhythm
Lullaby
Promenade (Walking the Dog)
Cuban Overture

Customer Reviews:

Muffled.......2006-11-03

This is a decent enough recording, but it's not anywhere near the best that I have heard. The Andre Previn/LSO recording is much better mixed; at times it seems like there's a muffle on the mikes, or that you're hearing it from a distance.

If I wanted good, dynamic background music, I'd do this. If I wanted to really listen to the music, I'd pick another version.

Somewhat disappointing........2003-09-10

I bought this for the full-length rendition of Rhapsody in Blue. I found the brass too tinny sounding, and the rhythm off in a few places. I like the snippet of this song on the "Best of the Milleneum" CD much better.

Gershwin At His Best in Hearts!.......2003-03-19

To someone who came along as a teenage boy in the mid-1940's, this CD has the elements of authenticity, even surprise, musical history, highly intense performances, and ways evoking memories of emotional highlights of my Youth. When mediocre orchestra 1st tackled Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" at Smoky Mtn Music Camp we were preparing for Sunday's outdoor Concert. Pianos were played by two friends who've presided Music Dept at Carson-Newman College in East Tennessee. In the Trombone section was a skinny kid with too much hair and too big an ego! When our esteemed conductor began the opening bars the Clarinet Soloist, my close friend Danny Boy slide-up the chromatic scale with fleurish. He later became a NC Doctor! He likely plays clarinet for his own amazement in someone's Dixieland Band!

On this wondrous CD there are historic names like Bernstein, Kostelanez, John Williams and Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductors. Andre Previn, Yo-Yo Ma and Sarah Vaughan as Soloists. I would have a hard time choosing which may be called my favorite! It would depend on the day they are playing in my car... traveling to Columbia Seminary classes or GA Diagnostic Prison for lunch with Chaplain friends! I often sing along with the Rhapsody as I did in 1949 when Oscar Levant soloed with Chattanooga Orch. My very young wife was playing in the first violin section! Still today I am totally wiped out when anyone as intensely romantic as Sarah Vaughan sings "Summertime" or "I Loves You, Porgy!"

Is it not amazingly wondrous that someone could create so much enjoyable music in his short lifetime of 39 years? I never wish to part with this all-time favorite 10-Star Recording!
Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood

The best America has to offer!!.......1999-03-09

This is the best collection of his songs i have ever heard. That's probably because it features conductors like John Williams and Micheal Tilson Thomas. My personal favorite is the allegro agitato from the Concerto in F. I have other recordings of this song, but none of them can even come close to matching the excitement of this one.

Average customer rating:

The best performances at the cheapest price!
Great performances, excellent engineering
Insipid uninspiring performances; miserable engineering
Terrific playing at a bargain price
Siegel is amazing

Gershwin: Works for Piano & Orchestra

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Suppe: Overtures: Light Cavalry, etc.; Auber: Overtures
Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Bruch: Dol Nidrei; Bloch: Schelomo
Von Weber: Piano concertos, Symphonies, Overtures
Borodin: Orchestral Works
Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra

ASIN: B000001K1Z
Release Date: 1992-11-04

Tracks:

Allegro
Andante Con Moto
Allegro Agitato
Lullaby For String Orchestra
Cuban Overture
Second Rhapsody
Promenade

Tracks:

Rhapsody In Blue
'I Got Rhythm' Variations
Introduction - Act 1, Scene 1
Porgy Sings
Fugue
Hurricane - Act II, Scene 3
Good Mornin', Brother - Act III, Scene 3
An American In Paris

Customer Reviews:

The best performances at the cheapest price!.......2001-08-16

I own many recordings of Gershwin but this inexpensive colection is my favorite! The performances are moving, the recording is excellent, and the whole package cannot be beat for value. Simply a great value!!!

Great performances, excellent engineering.......2001-03-22

I'm confused by the previous reviewer's comments.

The engineering is fine analog, but it isn't "in your face" kind of engineering (a la some older Sony recordings; Bernstein's are some of the worst offenders, although recent remasterings have tamed them somewhat), it isn't brightly lit (ditto a lot of von Karajan's DG recordings), but it's pretty natural. Nothing is spotlit, and sounds the way one would hear it in the concert hall. I would hazard that sound systems have a way of filtering the music. I've found that some of my terribly-engineered, really ancient monophonic recordings sound much better on lesser equipment, while my best engineered recordings sound mediocre on lesser equipment, but wonderful on the high end stuff. And the speakers, and, well, this isn't about equipment. Just second guessing how the impression can be made that the enginnering is poor on this disc.

Powell Symphony Hall, while not the sonic masterpiece that is, for example, New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall (one of the best I've ever been in), is still a wonderful acoustic space, both for listener and player (it's one of those halls where I was able to hear myself play as well as I was the whole orchestra, and you can almost feel your sound being projected into the auditorium). The hall, btw, is gorgeous, graceful, and characterful; much so than the design of Symphony Hall in Chicago (brilliantly finished, btw), or the cavernous feel of the hall in Boston. While some of Slatkin's RCA recordings in Powell recess the sound too much, such is not the case here.

The performances are electrifying, with the exception of the Concerto in F. Even that piece, an awkward attempt on Gershwin's part, has many rewarding aspects, and the performance reveals many of them. Seigel isn't a "polished" pianist--I'd never be interested hearing him play Mozart based on these performances--but here his style (or the style he has captured) is just right.

These are classics in the Gramophone. Not that the critical consensus (well, as consensual as it ever gets) is always correct, but I agree with them.

Insipid uninspiring performances; miserable engineering.......2000-12-07

If only 0 stars were an option!

I found these interpretations of Gershwin lacking; both in the orchestra and piano. None of the performances reached out and pulled me in, they left me wondering what anyone could possibly hear in Gershwin. Thankfully I own several recordings which do not leave me feeling that way! Specificaly in the Rapsody in Blue: Mr. Siegel does not demonstrate a command of the piece; more than once I wondered if he was practicing the piece instead of performing it, as his approach was tenative at best. Mr. Slatkin and the St. Louis Symphony rendered the piece with a lush/loose orchestral feel that just does not feel right.

The sound engineering is wanting in all of these performances; the balance between orchestra and piano is poorly maintained throughout. I found the piano lost in sections where a balance between forces is called for. Exchanges between piano and various instruments routinely found one or the other anoyingly out of balance. Nothing in the notes describes the recording process, but from the instances of voice dropout I would hazard to guess that two micropones were placed in the worst seats available in Powell Symphony Hall with the subsequent recordings transfered directly to disc with no review or attempt at editing. What an engineering travesty!

Overall I was glad when the CD's were done. I pulled out other recordings and played numerous tracks back to back to see if I had missed something. I had not! All around the performances are insipid and uninspiring, and I can usually find something redeeming in just about everything to which I give a listen.

If you want an inspired performance of Rhapsody in Blue that will reach out and grab you from the opening wail of the clarinet to the closing orchestral chord, get the recording made by Michael Tilson Thomas and the LA Philharmonic. Unfortunately, he did not record all the orchestral pieces you find in this recording.

Terrific playing at a bargain price.......2000-05-29

This is a terrific collection of Gershwin's orchestral music, including all of his works for piano and orchestra, all at a bargain price. Jeffrey Siegel's piano playing is great, as is Leonard Slatkin and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. For the bargain hunter in search of Gershwin, this is the set to buy.

Siegel is amazing.......2000-04-17

I have been privileged to listen to Jeffrey Siegel's Keyboard Conversations in Fairfax, VA for many years. I heard him play some Gershwin during one performance, and I had to buy this CD. If you like Gershwin, if you like great piano, if you like music, this is a CD that belongs in your collection

Average customer rating:

Broadway: America's Music 1935-2005

Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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White Nights

ASIN: B000B8I93Q
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'
Summertime
I Could Write a Book
It Never Entered My Mind
I Can Cook Too
Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please
If I Loved You
My Heart Belongs to Daddy
Thou Swell
I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
There's No Business Like Show Business
South American Way

Tracks:

Shall We Dance
Ohio
Luck Be a Lady
Mack the Knife
There's a Small Hotel
Once in Love with Amy
Yodel Blues
Lazy Afternoon
There Must Be Somethin' Better Than Love
You're Just in Love
Now Is the Time

Tracks:

Impossible Dream
Love Makes the World Go 'Round
Try to Remember
Put on a Happy Face
I Say Hello
Happiness
She Loves Me
What Kind of Fool Am I?
Shy
Consider Yourself
Poor Little Person

Tracks:

Magic to Do
They're Playing My Song
I Don't Know How to Love Him
I Won't Send Roses
Good Morning Starshine
Don't Cry for Me, Argentina
Hard Candy Christmas
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
Won't You Charleston with Me?
Applause

Tracks:

Phantom of the Opera
Memory
On My Own
Muddy Water
How Could I Ever Know
American Dream
I Know Him So Well
Dr. Jazz
Me and My Girl
Suddenly Seymour

Tracks:

Mamma Mia!
Popular
Seasons of Love
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think
Whatever Lola Wants
Crazy
How Deep Is Your Love
Stars
People Like Us
I Go to Rio

George Gershwin · The 100th Birthday Celebration / A. McDonald · Stokes Mitchell · Ohlsson · SFS · Tilson Thomas

Average customer rating:

Brilliant
Excellent recording

George Gershwin · The 100th Birthday Celebration / A. McDonald · Stokes Mitchell · Ohlsson · SFS · Tilson Thomas
George Gershwin , Michael Tilson Thomas , Audra McDonald , Brian Stokes Mitchell , San Francisco Symphony , and Garrick Ohlsson
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Encores from Encores!

ASIN: B00000B9MN
Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

Catfish Row - Summertime
Porgy Sings
Fugue
Bess, You is My Woman Now
Hurricane
My Man's Gone Now
There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon
Good Mornin' Sistuh !
Second Rhapsody for Orchestra with Piano

Tracks:

An American In Paris
Concerto In F For Piano And Orchestra - Allegro
Concerto In F For Piano And Orchestra - Adagio
Concerto In F For Piano And Orchestra - Allegro Agitato

Amazon.com essential recording

Michael Tilson Thomas's Gershwin credentials are second to none, and include several recording premieres, most notably the first modern version of the original jazz band orchestration of Rhapsody in Blue (for Sony/Columbia). This new double-CD set offers an impressive selection of Gershwin favorites and rarities: the Second Rhapsody, with Tilson Thomas himself at the piano; An American in Paris; the Concerto in F, this time with Garrick Ohlssohn as soloist; and finally, Gershwin's own Catfish Row suite from Porgy and Bess, here fleshed out with the best and most popular songs from the opera, ably sung by Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell. As a tribute to America's most popular composer, these swinging, idiomatic performances are irresistible. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant.......2006-08-09

Clean, full sound and the best singers for Porgy and Bess around these days.

Excellent recording.......2000-08-19

This is simply one of the best renditions of Gershwin yet recorded. Exciting, and technically flawless, MTT has again proven his skill and mastery at conducting. Finally, the San Francisco Symphony has joined the ranks of the worlds other great orchestras. If you like Gershwin, get this recroding before any other!

Average customer rating:

An Absolute Must For Lovers of Music and History
A real collector's item, especially for old-time radio buffs

George Gershwin Memorial Concert

Manufacturer: North American Class
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000006PDF
Release Date: 1998-04-28

Tracks:

Opening Comments
Prelude #2
Commentary
An American In Paris
Commentary
Eulogy
Swanee
The Man I Love
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Station Identification : Commentary
1st Movement : Allegro
2nd Movement : Andate con moto
Concerto In F: 3rd Movement : Allegro con brio

Tracks:

Intermission : Mrs. Leiland Atherton Irish; Oscar Hammerstein Tribute; Edward G. Robinson Tribute; Commentary
Introduction To The Second Half
Anthology : The Man I Love, Liza, Lady Be Good, Somebody Loves Me, Do It Again, I Got Rhythm, Wintergreen For President, Strike Up The Band
Commentary
Porgy And Bess: Introduction And Summertime
Commentary
Porgy And Bess: My Man's Gone Now
Porgy And Bess: The Buzzard Song
Porgy And Bess: The Train Song
Porgy And Bess: I've Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
Porgy And Bess: Bess, You Is My Woman Now
Porgy And Bess: I'm On My Way
Commentary
Rhapsody In Blue

Customer Reviews:

An Absolute Must For Lovers of Music and History.......2001-01-20

This album contains the best works of George Gershwin, played by the very best artists of the period. The quality of the recording is excellent, actually amazing considering that this recording was made in 1937. The music of the master, George Gershwin, and the authenticity of the playing is more than enough reason to buy the CD set. But there is more: The album consists of the complete two and one half hour historic radio program, broadcast as the announcer says "by short wave to the four corners of the earth." It is so moving that you can feel like you are experiencing it live. The 16 pages of liner notes that come with CD set have been carefully researched for historical accuracy and competent critical evaluation of the music. One could have wished the producers would have found room on the cover of the CD set to list Charles Previn, who conducted Concerto in F, which accounted for approximately thirty minutes of the playing time and for Nathaniel Shilkret and Nathaniel Finston who, as conductors, were the featured artists for another approximate half hour of playing time. One could only wish that there were only such minor complaints with all musical recordings. The producers deserve thanks for making this wonderful piece of history available to the public.

A real collector's item, especially for old-time radio buffs.......2000-09-24

This recording preserves,for all posterity and in quite listenable sound for its time, one of the most important and moving cultural events of the early twentieth century--the full-length memorial tribute to George Gershwin, the USA's greatest composer ever,IMHO.

This was broadcast on CBS Radio in September,1937, barely two months after the composer's shocking and untimely death from a brain tumor at the age of thirty-eight. All of his most famous pieces for concert hall are heard here,and the advantage of hearing them in a live performance is that they are not edited, as they often would have been in recordings made during that era. (Gershwin's own recording of the "Rhapsody in Blue",made in the 1920's in a recording studio,is rather severely cut.)

Many of the performers, such as Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant, give memorable performances,but there are a few clinkers. The great German conductor Otto Klemperer may be brilliant in Beethoven and Bach, but he was not the man to conduct Gershwin's Second Prelude, heard here in an orchestral arrangement. He has no feel for jazz idioms whatsoever, and he makes this slow, blues-like piece sound like a dirge out of Mahler or Bruckner. It is,sad to say, the worst performance of the Prelude I have ever heard. And whatever possessed the producers of this concert to get Lily Pons,with her pronounced French accent,to sing "Summertime", rather than an American soprano,which they could have gotten easily? It throws the whole "Porgy and Bess" segment out of whack.

That "Porgy" segment, however, is one of the most valuable historical documents ever recorded. It presents members of the original 1935 cast of the opera performing unedited versions of several arias,duets and ensemble pieces from the opera, conducted by Alexander Smallens, the original conductor. And it presents perhaps the only surviving recording of Ruby Elzy,the original Serena, singing "My Man's Gone Now". (Miss Elzy was NOT featured on the so-called Broadway cast album; Anne Brown,the original Bess,sang Serena's music on that one,as well as singing Bess and Clara's arias.) And we finally get to hear Todd Duncan perform "The Buzzard Song", which was cut from the opera for a very long time.

Fred Astaire's spoken tribute to Gershwin is very moving, and at one point, his voice is heard cracking with emotion. The announcer and narrator, however, speaks in that overenunciated, dramatic, actorish style which was apparently the norm for radio announcers of that period. He sounds as if he were getting ready to either impersonate Orson Welles, or audition for "Hamlet", and his style of speaking is almost quaint nowadays.

But this album is still irreplaceable.

An update to this review - This edition of the memorial concert is apparently out of print, and the concert itself has been reissued as part of the ongoing CD series "The Radio Years". DO NOT BUY THAT VERSION. It is vastly inferior to this one. This version has spectacular sound for its time, and the new reissue sounds as if had been recorded through a tin can. And not only is the sound bad on the reissue, but there is tons of surface noise and the program itself seems to be abridged.

We can only hope that the edition listed on this page will be re-issued some day. This historic concert deserves no less.

Average customer rating:

Great sampler of Gershwin's music
Gershwin stands the test of time

Gershwin: The Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Joplin: The Greatest Hits

ASIN: B000003QX6
Release Date: 1997-07-22

Tracks:

Rhapsody In Blue
Overture To 'Strike Up The Band' (Soldiers' March - I Mean To Say - How About A Boy Like Me - Dream Music - Soon - etc.)
Overture To 'Girl Crazy' (Mexican Hotel - Could You Use Me - Embraceable You - I Got Rhythm - But Not For Me - etc.)
Overture To 'Funny Face' (Funny Face - 'S Wonderful - My One And Only - He Loves And She Loves - High Hat)
Concerto In F: (Allegro)
Concerto In F: (Adagio: Andante con moto)
Concerto In F: (Allegro agitato)

Tracks:

An American In Paris
'Porgy And Bess' Suite (Clara - A Woman Is A Sometime Thing - Summertime - I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' - Bess, You Is My Woman - etc.)
A Gershwin Medley (Swanee - The Man I Love - Strike Up The Band)
Overture To 'Lady, Be Good' (Lady, Be Good - Fascinating Rhythm)
Tell Me More: Kicking The Clouds Away
La, La, Lucille: Tee-Oodle-Um-Bum-Bo
George White's Scandals Of 1921: Drifting Along With The Tide
Tip - Toes: That Certain Feeling
Tip - Toes: Sweet And Low Down
Three Preludes: No. 1
Three Preludes: No. 2
Three Preludes: No. 3
Lullaby (Original Piano Version)

Customer Reviews:

Great sampler of Gershwin's music.......2007-04-14

Classical music came from Europe. Jazz arose in the American deep south as a combination of multiple music genres, most noticeably black folk music and French influences. How ironic that it would take two descendants of Russian Jews to fuse the two together into a distinctly American style of music. The two composers are George and Ira Gershwin. George is the more famous of the two, but both by himself and with his sibling they composed multiple great scores of musics. Many of these have stood the test of time and are now commonly heard in the mass media; Rhapsody in Blue is the ultimate example, and it leads of this two-disc set. Other pieces were composed for operas (Porgy and Bess), Broadway shows (Funny Face), and movies. All of this and other works are found on this set. The recording is great, the sound quality is flawless and the compositions well chosen to provide 2+ hours of music. All told, a great buy for the price.

Gershwin stands the test of time.......2007-03-25

Absolutely the best, still after all these years. I'm very happy with the album.

George Gershwin: The Complete Orchestra Collection

Average customer rating:

Low recording volume spoils an otherwise good CD
A Wonderful Collection

George Gershwin: The Complete Orchestra Collection

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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American Piano Classics
Copland: The Music of America
Symphonic Spectacular
Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls
Puccini - La Boheme / Pavarotti, Scotto, Niska, Wixell, Plishka, Levine, Metropolitan Opera

ASIN: B000007OMB
Release Date: 1998-05-26

Tracks:

Rhapsody In Blue - William Tritt
Second Rhapsody For Piano And Orchestra - Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
I. Allegro - William Tritt
II. Adagio/Andante Con Moto - William Tritt
III. Allegro Agitato - William Tritt
Variations On 'I Got Rhythm' - William Tritt
Rialto Ripples Rag - William Tritt

Tracks:

An American In Paris - Erich Kunzel
Cuban Overture - Erich Kunzel
Lullaby - Erich Kunzel
Walking The Dog - Erich Kunzel
Mexican Dance - Erich Kunzel
I. Catfish Row - Erich Kunzel
II. Porgy Sings - Erich Kunzel
III. Fugue - Erich Kunzel
IV. Hurricane - Erich Kunzel
V. Good Morning, Sistuh - Erich Kunzel
O Land Of Mine, America - Erich Kunzel

Customer Reviews:

Low recording volume spoils an otherwise good CD.......2006-06-29

This CD has been recorded at a very low level. If you want to hear that opening clarinet glissando in Rhapsody in Blue, be prepared to turn the volume WAAAAAY up. Great collection, but disappointing quality. Wish I'd bought something else.

A Wonderful Collection.......2000-12-29

Erich Kunzel conducts a wonderful recording of all the orchestral Gershwin one needs. There is a great performance of Rhapsody in Blue, and An American in Paris. They are conducted and played the way Gershwin would have liked. The three preludes are played fantastically, especially Walking the Dog played brilliantly by the clarinetist. I highly recommend this to any Gershwin fan who wants a complete and wonderful recording of this fine American music.

Average customer rating:

Nice cross-over
Top Performance

The Kiri Selection

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

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Kiri Sings Gershwin
Kiri Sings Kern: Dame Kiri TeKanawa
Kiri Sings Berlin
Kiri! Her Greatest Hits Live
Kiri Sings Porter; Dame Kiri TeKanawa

ASIN: B000002SK4
Release Date: 1992-11-17

Tracks:

Girl Crazy: I Got Rhythm
The Goldwyn Follies: Love Walked In
Oh, Kay!: Someone To Watch Over Me
Porgy And Bess: Summertime
By Strauss
Come To The Fair
The Ash Grove
Greensleeves
Come to the Fair - Folk Songs and Ballads: Danny Boy
The Best Of Me
He Was Beautiful
With You I'm Born Again
An American Tail: Somewhere Out There
High, Wide and Handsome: The Folks Who Live On The Hill
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
LADY BE GOOD: The Last Time I Saw Paris
Movement VII: Crises: The World You're Coming Into

Customer Reviews:

Nice cross-over.......2003-03-09

There is only a single track on "The Kiri Selection" that didn't come from one of her other releases, and that is "The World You're Coming Into" from Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio. The rest of her songs can also be heard on "Kiri Sings Gershwin," "Come to the Fair - Folk Songs & Ballads," "From Heart to Heart" with Malcolm McNeill, and "Kiri Sings Kern."

It's a jumbled mixture but Dame Kiri negotiates the songs with a light, brilliant touch, never bringing too much heavy operatic artillery to bear on what are essentially popular songs. For those of you who are not operatically inclined, you may remember this lovely soprano from the 1981 marriage ceremony of HRH the Prince of Wales to the Lady Diana Spencer. Te Kanawa sang "Let the Bright Seraphim" (and wore a very strange hat).

Unlike some sopranos (my chorale director says Dame Joan never sang a consonant throughout her entire career), Kiri is scrupulous about her intonation and you will be able to understand almost every syllable she sings. My personal favorite is her rendition of Kern's "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes:" "They said some day you'll find,/ All who love are blind,/ When your heart's on fire,/ you must realize,/ Smoke gets in your eyes." She sings with intense pathos, yet a little tremble of courage. I can just see her sitting in some chic '30s cocktail lounge, head (with that outrageous hat on it) held high while her friends chaff her about her unfaithful love. She reaches up to brush the smoke or tears from her eyes and pretends to laugh away a remark that was much too personal.

When Kiri sustains a note, she does something with it. She doesn't just sit on it à la Pavrotti and let us admire her beautiful voice. She interprets every nuance of the lyrics, unlike some of my very favorite opera singers who don't cross over into popular music very well, e.g. Domingo, Ramey, Norman, and Dame Joan.

Te Kawana fans, unless you already own all four of the albums mentioned above, this CD is definitely worth your while. Kern and Gershwin enthusiasts will also find interpretations to treasure.

Top Performance.......1999-06-16

I have only just purchased this CD, and I'm in love with it already! Kiri's voice is so incredibly versatile, that you are just STUNNED by her ability to sing Gershwin, Kern and others like a jazz singer. She's incredible, and so's the recording. I'd recommend it to anyone, as Kiri's best CD outside of her West Side Story and full opera performance CD's. Her duet with Malcom O'Neill is amazing, and the way she interperets Gershwin's hits is so neat - far better than I've ever heard. The only SLIGHT moan I would have is that in one or two of the songs, she is a little to far away from the mic, and the orchestra are a little loud. But considering how great she sounds - does it matter? Make this your next Kiri CD purchase.

Average customer rating:

CLASSIC PLASTIC
Musical pleasure

Classic Gershwin

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

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General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000026H2
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

George Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue (Original Version)
George Gershwin: An American In Paris
George Gershwin: Medley From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhattan'
George Gershwin: Medley From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhattan'
George Gershwin: Medley From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhattan'
George Gershwin: Medley From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhattan'
George Gershwin: Medley From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhattan'
George Gershwin: 1.- Allegro Ben Ritmato E Deciso
George Gershwin: Three Preludes For Piano
George Gershwin: 3. - Allegro Ben Ritmato E Deciso
George Gershwin: Embraceable You
George Gershwin: Liza
George Gershwin: A Foggy Day
George Gershwin: Overture To Porgy And Bess
George Gershwin: Medley From Porgy And Bess: I Love You, Porgy
George Gershwin: Medley From Porgy And Bess: I Love You, Porgy
George Gershwin: Medley From Porgy And Bess: I Love You, Porgy

Customer Reviews:

CLASSIC PLASTIC.......2005-07-21

Gershwin CD is strangely lacking in atmosphere and reference, with over an hour of Gershwin's more classical side, including Michael Tilson Thomas conducting The Columbia Jazz Band's "Rhapsody in Blue", featuring Gershwin's original 1925 piano roll, Leonard Bernstein conducting The New York Philharmonic's "An American in Paris", and composer John Williams on guitar in "A Foggy Day". With song titles like, "Medly From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhatten", at just over three minutes, and "Medly From 'Porgy and Bess'", the CD is a classy cash cow thrown together by CBS Records. Tilson Thomas' "Three Preludes for Piano", stops and takes a dramatic musical breath in the context of these slam-bang offerings. Truly bland CD liner notes by Bobby Finn and Kay Swift, whoever they may be.

Musical pleasure.......2001-07-16

I have always loved the Gershwin music. It seems to Americana. When I first heard the recordings of the music from the piano rolls, I was fascinated. When I then heard this album with the jazz sound and the symphony sound combined with the pure sounds from the piano rolls, I was captured by the sound. The mighty ending of The Rhapsody in Blue is as powerful as this music can be. Add songs like Summertime and the Porgy N' Bess favorites and I find that this album is just the right combination of composer, performer and directors. Michael Tilson Thomas pulls forth from the group he is directing, a crisp and powerful sound. Bernstein needs no critique. If you are a lover of Gershwin and piano music, you can't miss with this.

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Music Review

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