Dog in the Piano [CD-single] [Import]

Dog in the Piano [CD-single] [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Samplers Synths Sequencers Styrophones and Sitars. After Eponymous Debut on Skint Last Year Dog in the Piano Sports a Snazzy Line in Jerky Boys Samples and Sitar Funk. DJ Danilsan Gives the Track a Dancefloor Edge.

Tracks:

Oeuvres Pour Piano: Gymnopedie I
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Gymnopedie II
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Gymnopedie III
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Les Trois Valses distingu du preux dI: Sa taille
Oeuvres Pour Piano: II: Son binocle
Oeuvres Pour Piano: III: Ses jambes
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Trois Gnossiennes: I Lent
Oeuvres Pour Piano: II Avec nnement
Oeuvres Pour Piano: III Lent
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Trois Gnossiennes: IV Lent
Oeuvres Pour Piano: V Mod
Oeuvres Pour Piano: VI Avec conviction et avec une tristesse rigoureuse
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Trois Mouvements en forme de poire, uatre mains: Mani de commencement
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Prolongation du m
Oeuvres Pour Piano: I
Oeuvres Pour Piano: II
Oeuvres Pour Piano: III
Oeuvres Pour Piano: En plus
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Redite
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Croquis et agaceries d'un gros bonhomme en bois: I Tyrolienne turque
Oeuvres Pour Piano: II Danse maigre (a mani de ces messieurs)
Oeuvres Pour Piano: III Espa (Sorte de valse)
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Sonatine bureaucratique
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Trois Nocturnes: I Doux et calme
Oeuvres Pour Piano: II Simplement
Oeuvres Pour Piano: III Un peu mouvement
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Premi penset sonneries de la Rose Croix: Air de ldre
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Air du Grand Maitre
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Air du Grand Prieur
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Le Fils des oiles: Prde du 1er acte: la Vocation
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Prde du IIe acte: l'Initiation
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Prde du IIIe acte: l'Incantation

Tracks:

Jack In The Box: Prelude
Jack In The Box: Entracte
Jack In The Box: Final
Sports et Divertissements: Choral inappetissant
Sports et Divertissements: La Balanre
Sports et Divertissements: La Chasse
Sports et Divertissements: La Come italienne
Sports et Divertissements: Le Ril de la Mari
Sports et Divertissements: Colin-Maillard
Sports et Divertissements: La Pe
Sports et Divertissements: Le Yachting
Sports et Divertissements: Le Bain de mer
Sports et Divertissements: Le Carnaval
Sports et Divertissements: Le Golf
Sports et Divertissements: La Pieuvre
Sports et Divertissements: Les Courses
Sports et Divertissements: Les Quatre-Coins
Sports et Divertissements: Le pique-nique
Sports et Divertissements: Le Water-chute
Sports et Divertissements: Le Tango
Sports et Divertissements: Le Traau
Sports et Divertissements: Le Flirt
Sports et Divertissements: Le Feu d'artifice
Sports et Divertissements: Le Tennis
Oeuvres Pour Piano: I D'Holothurie
Embryons desseches: II D'Edriophtalma
Embryons desseches: III De Podophtalma
Preludes flasques (pour un chien): I Voix d'interieur
Preludes flasques (pour un chien): II. Idylle cynique
Preludes flasques (pour un chien): III. Chanson canine
Preludes flasques (pour un chien): IV. Avec camaraderie
En habit de cheval (a 4 mains): I Choral
En habit de cheval (a 4 mains): II Fugue litanique
En habit de cheval (a 4 mains): III Autre chose
En habit de cheval (a 4 mains): IV Fugue de papier
Apercus desagreables: I Pastorale
Apercus desagreables: II Choral
Apercus desagreables: III Fugue
Descriptions automatiques: I Sur un vaisseau
Descriptions automatiques: II Sur une lanterne
Descriptions automatiques: III Sur un casque
3 Petites pieces montees (a 4 mains): De l'enfance de Pantagruel (Reverie)
3 Petites pieces montees (a 4 mains): Marche de Cocagne (Demarche)
3 Petites pieces montees (a 4 mains): Jeux de Gargantua (Coin de Polka)
Peccadilles importunes: Etre jaloux de son camarade qui a une grosse tete
Peccadilles importunes: Lui manger sa tartine
Peccadilles importunes: Profiter de ce qu'il a des cors aux pieds pour lui voler son cerceau
Pieces froides - No. 1 Airs a faire fuir: I D'une maniere particuliere
Pieces froides - No. 1 Airs a faire fuir: II Modestement
Pieces froides - No. 1 Airs a faire fuir: III S'inviter
Pieces froides - No. 2 Danses de travers: I En y regardant par deux fois
Pieces froides - No. 2 Danses de travers: II Passer
Pieces froides - No. 2 Danses de travers: III Encore
La Belle Excentrique: I Grande ritournelle
La Belle Excentrique: II Marche franco-lunaire
La Belle Excentrique: III Valse du 'Mysterieux baiser dans l'oeil'
La Belle Excentrique: IV Can-can grand-mondain
3 Sarabandes: No. 1
3 Sarabandes: No. 2
3 Sarabandes: No. 3

Amazon.com

It's simple: in his various realizations of the piano music of Erik Satie, Aldo Ciccolini set a standard that has yet to be bettered. This compilation, drawn from recordings made between 1966 and 1971, is consequently the best of the best. Ciccolini always played Satie's music as though it had been written by Claude Debussy, not by some cheap charlatan or uneducated primitive (which, to an extent that is still debatable, Satie was). The result is that these seemingly simple piano pieces acquire a tonal allure that is as surprising as it is undeniable. They possess an understated sophistication that points directly toward Ravel and Poulenc, at the same time providing an opening to the minimalist aesthetic of the later 20th century. Ciccolini's playing is pliant and graceful, and under his fingers the music seems to breathe and come alive. What more could a composer or a listener want? --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Picasso in sound.......2006-02-19

Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau and Eric Satie were drinking buddies; it shouldn't be surprising that their work, though in different media, should bear striking similarities. This CD set replaces a very badly abused vinyl recording from the 1960s. No one plays Satie like Aldo Ciccolini. I do wish the Parade had been included, Satie wrote the music, Cocteau the libretto and Picasso did the sets and costumes-Satie's only ballet. Of course, the circa 1910 audience walked out. It's the story of an out-of-work ballet company that goes out onto the streets of Paris to try to get customers to come inside. The customers are stereotypes like the American in a cowboy outfit who adds the sound of this six gun to the music and the secretary who types through the encounter. The back wall of the theater was covered with Picasso designed neon signs flashing in bright colors throughout the performance. Across the front of the stage he'd strung acetate on which were playing street scenes of Paris from three cameras-red, blue and green. The men were way, way ahead of their times.

Great but NOT complete.......2004-12-23

Please note that this collection does NOT contain Erik Satie's complete works for piano. The collection makes no such claim, but at 5 CDs, some may assume it to be complete and none of the other reviews to date mention this. I am too lazy to do the research to come up with a complete list, but offhand I know that these songs are missing - "Je Te Veux", "Fantaisie-Valse" and "Valse-Ballet". These 3 are among my favorite Satie pieces, so yes, I think the collection is diminished somewhat by their absence.

Aldo Ciccolini always has been the greatest interpreter of Satie's work for piano. Ciccolini has a feel for Satie that no one else does, although I have to admit that I prefer a faster tempo to "Poudre D'Or" than the slower, introspective tempo Ciccolini always uses, but that's only a small matter of personal preference. These recordings were originally made in 1967 and 1971 and the sound quality is excellent. At the dawn of the CD era at various sessions from 1983-1986, Ciccolini recorded Satie's complete works for piano on EMI on 5 CDs. They are currently out of print in America, with the exception of one compilation CD (also available at Amazon at the time of writing) with Gabriel Tacchino playing the 2nd piano on the pieces for 2 pianos. Ciccolini was overdubbed playing the 2nd piano on the original recordings in this review. I have a slight preference for the later recordings, but many seem to prefer these originals. You can't go wrong with these, just understand that they are not complete and the missing songs are among Satie's best.

There's only one........2004-06-26

If you're reading this, you've already heard Satie's music, so I needn't to go into that. I do want to say that this is the only recording of Satie that is worth hearing. Ciccolini is the only foot that will fit the Satie glass slipper. Don't waste your money on the ugly step-sisters.

Don't forget Satie was an Anti-Romantic.......2002-02-25

No one could deny that setting every disperse music in a unique album is a remarkable job. But I didn't like much the approach of Ciccolini, which I knew around 1975 while getting borrowed the vinyl LPs in the Embassy of France in Buenos Aires. Now I'd like to explain to whom it may concern why do I feel that way.
Satie was an anti-romantic composer, at the point of creating the "furniture-music" (musique d'ameublement) which refuses that music could be so expressive as romantics wanted. Other ones clasifies him as a "Surrealist" composer (anti-romantic movement too), but there are no signs of dreams of unconsciousness through his work. Since that point of view you could play Satie's music anyway but expressively. Satie wasn't Debussy, besides the fact that they knew personally and admire each other. Could you play Debussy in a plain style without damage?. I don't think so, because Satie was farther of expressive tradition than Debussy: we can say that Debussy is a spirit of the XIX Century while Satie is a precursor of the XXth. Remember his own words: "I came to the world too young in a time too old".
The best performance I heard of the piano work of our composer was in charge of Jacques Fevrier on the excelent album called "Monsieur Erik Satie", with such a "sideman" as another member of the group of six as Georges Auric for the 4 hands pieces.
I wave goodbye with a great embrace to all Satie's fans.

"Electric Spirit of Eric Satie" fans this is the one !.......2001-08-17

Fans of "The Electronic Spirit of Eric Satie" will immediately recognize Aldo Ciccolini as one of the few musicians in touch with the true "Satie" style. The selections correspond to "Electric Spirit" ; except, performed as a good piano solo. The piano recording is done so well it's better than most orchestral versions. It sounds very much like "Electric Spirit" without orchestration nor electronic "boops" and "beeps"-- just a good piano. It's really just as funny and powerful; and here it has a class act. This performance is a rare find !

Average customer rating:

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

George Gershwin: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Essential George Gershwin
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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.

Satie: Gymnopédies No1-3; Gnossiennes No1-6

Average customer rating:

Great Performance, disappointing listening experience
Great Performance, not so great quality recording
Splendid Introduction to Satie's Piano Music

Satie: Gymnopédies No1-3; Gnossiennes No1-6

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Satie: Piano Works
After the Rain...The Soft Sounds of Erik Satie
The Best of Erik Satie
Satie: Orchestral Works
The Magic of Satie

ASIN: B00004R95Q
Release Date: 2000-03-14

Tracks:

Trois Gymnopedies: I. Lent Et Douloureux
Trois Gymnopedies: II. Lent Et Triste
Trois Gymnopedies: II. Lent Et Grave
I. Lent
Six Gnossiennes: II. Avec Etonnement
Six Gnossiennes: III. Lent
Six Gnossiennes: IV. Lent
Six Gnossiennes: V. Modere
Six Gnossiennes: VI. Avec Conviction Et Avec Une Tristesse Rigoureuse
Croquis Et Agaceries D'un Gros Bonhomme En Bois: I. Tyrolienne Turque (Avec Precaution Et Lent)
Croquis Et Agaceries D'un Gros Bonhomme En Bois: II. Danse Maigre (A La Maniere De Ces Messieurs) (Assez Lent Si Vous Le Voulez Bien)
Croquis Et Agaceries D'un Gros Bonhomme En Bois: III. Espanana (Sorte De Valse)
Embryons Desseches: I. - D'Holothurie (Allez Un Peu)
Embryons Desseches: II. - D'Edriophtalma (Sonore)
Embryons Desseches: III. - De Podophtalma (Un Peu Vif)
Sonatine Bureaucratique: Allegro - Andante - Vivace
Avant-dernieres Pensees: I. Idylle, (A Debussy) (Modere, Je Vous Prie)
Avant-dernieres Pensees: II. Aubade (A Paul Dukas) (Pa Vite)
Avant-dernieres Pensees: III. Meditations (A Albert Roussel) (Un Peu Vif)
Veritables Preludes Flasques (Pour Un Chien): I. Severe Reprimande (Vif [Sans Trop])
Veritables Preludes Flasques (Pour Un Chien): II. Seul A La Maison (Pas Vite)
Veritables Preludes Flasques (Pour Un Chien): III. On Joue (Aller)
Cinq Nocturnes: I. Doux Et Calme
Cinq Nocturnes: II. Simplement
Cinq Nocturnes: III. Un Peu Mouvemente
Cinq Nocturnes: IV. Mysterieux et tendre
Cinq Nocturnes: V.
Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: I. Maniere De Commencement (Allez Moderement) - Gabriel Tacchino
Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: II. Prolongation Du Meme (Au Pas) - Gabriel Tacchino
Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: 1. Lentement - Gabriel Tacchino
Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: 2. Enleve - Gabriel Tacchino
Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: 3. Brutal - Gabriel Tacchino
Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: III. En Plus (Calme) - Gabriel Tacchino
Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: IV. Redite (Dans Le Lent) - Gabriel Tacchino
La Belle Excentrique: I. Grand Ritournelle - Gabriel Tacchino
La Belle Excentrique: II. Marche 'Franco-Lunaire' - Gabriel Tacchino
La Belle Excentrique: III. Valse Du 'Mysterieux Baiser Dans L'oeil' (Mouvement De Valse) - Gabriel Tacchino
La Belle Excentrique: IV. Cancan Grand-Mondain (Galop) - Gabriel Tacchino

Amazon.com

Aldo Ciccolini's late-1960s survey devoted to Erik Satie's piano music helped spawn new interest in the idiosyncratic French composer. The pianist rerecorded the cycle digitally, and it is from these remakes that the present reissue stems. While the performances are refreshingly pert, stylish, and perceptive, the rather glassy, treble-heavy engineering can't hold a candle to EMI's warmer analog sound for the earlier recordings. Be that as it may, this disc covers a spectrum of Satie's creative moods (to say nothing of his bizarre titles), from the pensive Gymnopédies, Gnossiennes, and Nocturnes to the upbeat irony inherent in the character pieces. Gabriel Tacchino joins Ciccolini for a balletic romp through La belle excentrique. Happily, this duo will have none of the fussy rubato with which a handful of world-class pianists distort Trois Morceaux en forme de poire. If warm, rounded piano sound is not an issue, then this disc will do just fine as your basic Satie starter kit. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Great Performance, disappointing listening experience.......2007-05-06

The performance of all of the pieces on this disk are exceptional, and the recording of the piano itself is well done. Unfortunately, both are almost irreparably marred by a loud recording hiss throughout the performances. The fact that this hiss fades to zero between sets only serves to highlight the hiss and make it distracting again. I am stunned that this disk advertises itself as a DDD recording, the engineers and producers should be ashamed. If you know how to process hiss out of a recording, go for it. Otherwise, be warned, you may be disappointed.

Great Performance, not so great quality recording.......2006-01-19

I think that the interpretation of Satie's work here is really good, but my complain is that the recording has a lot of noise in it, is not just the noise of a life performance (which I don't mind), but there is a clear white noise in the background that spoils the overall effect. Still, as I said the interpretation is just great, but the noise issue forces me to give a 3 start rating.

Splendid Introduction to Satie's Piano Music.......2004-05-29

I must confess my ignorance with respect to Satie and his music, so this fine CD was a revelation. Satie clearly falls in the same group of "Impressionist" composers such as Debussy, but still remains an enigmatic figure, in part because of the satirical content of his music, as well as his personality. In Aldo Ciccolini, Satie had one of his foremost champions. This CD is replete with graceful, lyrical playing of Satie's works. I am truly surprised that Satie was neglected until the 1960's, when Ciccolini began championing his music. The sound quality isn't nearly as warm as earlier EMI analogue recordings, but this isn't a major disappointment in what is otherwise a splendid introduction to Satie's music.

Average customer rating:

Let the Buyer Beware
Historical and Pristine
"Rhapsody In Blue"

Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue

Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - Piano Concerto in F - An American in Paris

ASIN: B000098ZSS
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Tracks:

Rhapsody In Blue
An American In Paris
Swanee
Walkin' The Dog
Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
Somebody Loves Me
Our Love Is Here To Stay
S'Wonderful
Embraceable You
Oh, Lady Be Good

Customer Reviews:

Let the Buyer Beware.......2007-01-12

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.

Historical and Pristine.......2006-12-22

This compilation of Gershwin selections taken from the piano rolls of the composer offer a perfect introduction to the music of Gershwin, offering a balance between his serious symphonic pieces and his accessible popular songs. Beginning with two of his concert works, "The Rhapsody in Blue" and "An American in Paris," the CD just hints at what the composer accomplished in the concert hall and the world of serious music. To my understanding, the "Rhapsody in Blue" was originally performed at a concert titled 'An Experiment in Modern Music' in 1924 at Aeolian Hall in New York. The piece was performed by an orchestra with Paul Whiteman as director, and with the composer at the piano as part of a concert experiment in jazz. The version on this CD is a piano adaptation created by the composer based off of the original symphonic work.

"An American in Paris" is also a concert work that did not achieve the widespread adoration that the Rhapsody has garnered. It was intended by the composer to capture the emotions of a tourist visiting Paris, and was purportedly auto-biographical. It was performed in 1928 at New York's Carnegie Hall with Walter Damrosch conducting the New York Philharmonic. It received mixed reviews at the time but remains a favorite of Gershwin's classical works. Like the "Rhapsody," the version included here is a piano adaptation of the original orchestral work.

The remaining works on the CD are those of a popular composer, the flipside of Gershwin's career. No other American composer (or any for that matter) has strattled these two different fields of music with the success with which George Gershwin did. And the popular songs, among them, "Embraceable You," "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," and "Love is Here to Stay" have achieved enormous pop culture penetration and secure Gershwin's place in history as a master of popular song composition. Notably missing from this CD, however, are Ira Gershwin's contributions, i.e. the words, which add an element important to these songs' true place in history. Along with Ira's contributions come the countless Gershwin vocal interpreters who helped to realize these songs' true significance and their dispersion throughout the American popular music idiom.

On these versions, it is simply Gershwin playing his works (albeit the recordings are taken from his piano rolls, not an actual live recording). In these arrangements, the melodies are incorporated into lush and often convoluted harmonic accompaniment, in which the melody often becomes lost (i.e., the bridge or B section of "Oh, Lady Be Good!"). However, the opportunity to hear the composer express the harmonic possibilities of these disguisingly "simple" American tunes is truly a valuable one. The particular bouncing style with which Gershwin jumps from chord to chord to accompany his melodies is clearly apparent on many of these tunes, and that is an aspect borrowed from Ragtime that contributes to Gershwin being labeled as a uniquely "American" styled composer. The idiosyncracy of his composition and playing are tied together and come to life on this CD. The harmonic statements are sophisticated and evasive to the common ear, and the rhythmic precision and prolificity are legendary. Together with the melody, these elements of the musical composition on which Gershwin demonstrates mastery come together to produce a truly quintessential and essential Gershwin compilation.

"Rhapsody In Blue".......2006-07-12

"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.

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

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Grofe: Death Valley Suite
Von Weber: Piano concertos, Symphonies, Overtures
Borodin: Orchestral Works
Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra
Rachmaninoff: Complete Works for Piano & 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

Copland: Clarinet Concerto; Bernstein, Gershwin / Stoltzman

Average customer rating:

Reference Recording

Copland: Clarinet Concerto; Bernstein, Gershwin / Stoltzman

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | 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

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Similar Items:

The Essential Clarinet
Dreams
Ax, Stoltzman, Ma : Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart : Trios for Piano, Clarinet, Cello
Visions
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto; Clarinet Quintet

ASIN: B000003FJP
Release Date: 1993-08-10

Tracks:

Clarinet Concerto
Goodbye 'In Memory Of Benny'
Sonata for Clarinet: Grazioso
Sonata for Clarinet: Andantino: Vivace e leggiero
West Side - Variants
Promenade (Walking The Dog)
Bess, You Is My Woman Now
Short Story
Three Preludes: Prelude No. 1: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Three Preludes: Prelude No. 2: Andante con moto e poco rubato
Three Preludes: Prelude No. 3: Allegro ben ritmato e deciso

Customer Reviews:

Reference Recording.......2005-12-01

Richard Stoltzman and Michael Tilson Thomas made an outstanding team for this recording. Stoltzman's tone is often the object of debate, but in this album, it works wonderfully. The jazz influences in all of these pieces call for a brighter, and (for lack of a better word) looser sound, which Stoltzman can pull off with flair. He does an excellent job of making the opening section of the Copland silky and dream-like. The bravado and virtuosity in the cadenza are fitting, as is the occasional stretch or pause. It sounds almost improvised, which is what Copland was going for in this very difficult section. The orchestra (directed by Tilson Thomas) is also excellent - sparkling one moment, incisive the next.

The rest of the album is a collection of pieces by other American composers of the 20th century. "Goodbye" is an emotional memorial of Benny Goodman, the Bernstein "Sonata" is an interesting expansion of the work for clarinet and piano. Look out for the opening of "West Side"... it has startled me more than once when I wasn't paying attention! And the "Three Preludes" at the end are, again, an interesting expansion of the work for piano.

I can't say that I've heard a better performance of the Copland, so this album is worth it just for that. But, the other pieces are fun to listen to as well and nicely round out this album.

Average customer rating:

Peculiar
Gershwin Never Sounded Better!

Gershwin: Piano Music

Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

After The Ball plus Highlights from Vaudeville
Moonlight Bay: Songs as Is Songs as Was
The Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls, Vol. 2
Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls
Sing Gus Kahn

ASIN: B000005IY8
Release Date: 1992-04-09

Tracks:

George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Swanee
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Nobody But You
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Do It Again
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Fascinating Rhythm
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Oh, Lady Be Good
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Somebody Loves Me
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Sweet And Low Down
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): That Certain Feeling
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): The Man I Love
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Clap Yo' Hands
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Do Do Do
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): My One And Only
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): 'S Wonderful
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Strike Up The Band
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Liza
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): I Got Rhythm
George Gershwin's Song Book (1932): Who Cares?
Other Piano Pieces: Rialto Ripples
Other Piano Pieces: Three Preludes-Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Other Piano Pieces: Three Preludes - Andante con moto e poco rubato
Other Piano Pieces: Three Preludes - Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Other Piano Pieces: Impromptu In Two Keys
Other Piano Pieces: Three-Quarter Blues
Other Piano Pieces: Merry Andrew
Other Piano Pieces: Piano Playin' Jazzbo Brown (Jasbo Brown Blues)
Other Piano Pieces: Promenade
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: How Long Has This Been Going On?
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: By Strauss
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: Someone to Watch over Me
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: Nice Work If You Can Get It
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: The Man I Love
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: Just Another Rhumba
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: Isn't It A Pity?
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: They All Laughed
Songs By George And Ira Gershwin: Love Is Here To Stay

Amazon.com

William Bolcom is my kind of musician. He writes music that is sometimes adventurous but always based in a recognizable American idiom. And he's a terrific ragtime pianist, the best Joplin player I've heard. With these credentials, of course he's a wonderful Gershwin player. These are the best piano performances of Gershwin I know. After you hear those, Bolcom joins his wife Joan Morris for very flavorful versions of 10 George and Ira Gershwin songs. The whole disc is a delight, and the original analog recordings still sound fine. Highly recommended to all Gershwin lovers. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Peculiar.......2005-01-26

I can see how someone might enjoy this album. William Bolcom is a top-flight pianist and the idea of playing the tunes as George Gershwin played them at parties is intriguing.

Because my ear is used to it, I guess, I would like to have heard longer performances of fewer songs. Each one sounded to me like a snippet -- over too soon. Because of that, plus the fact that I'm not a fan of Joan Morris' showy voice, I give the album one thumb up.

Gershwin Never Sounded Better!.......2002-06-25

This is a fantastic CD! Back in the 70's, pianist William Bolcom and his singer wife Joan Morris made a delightful series of albums on the Nonesuch label of old songs from the first half of the twentieth century - just glorious voice backed by brilliant piano. As Ira Gershwin might say - who could ask for anything more? The music is not only beautifully performed, you can hear the joy of the performance in every note. And Bolcom and Morris were never better than when doing Gershwin.

A combination of two albums, the first part of this CD is all piano. The Gershwin Songbook consists of brief (some under a minute) versions of some of his more popular songs in the way that Gershwin himself famously played them at parties. They demonstrate that Gershwin was as gifted a pianist as he was a composer. The other instrumental tracks are some of Gershwin's solo piano pieces, including the wonderful Rialto Ripples, a rag written when he was just seventeen. For me, the pinnacle of both Gershwin's and William Bolcom's artistry is reached on the second of the three preludes - a classic study of a bluesy mood.

Just when you think things can't get any better, Joan Morris arrives. She effortlessly sings and swings her way through ten of Gershwin's best songs from the cheeky comedy of By Strauss to the smoky moodiness of Someone To Watch Over Me. Maybe I'm just an incurable old romantic, but the ballads are the best of all.

Tracks:

The Teddy Bears Picnic
A Morning In Noah's Ark
The Two Little Bulfinches
The Magpie And The Parrot
The Whistler And His Dog
Chicken Reel
Elephantine Polka
In Bugdom
The Glow-Worm
Porcupine Rag
Turkey In The Straw
Parade Of The Doodle-Bugs
Somewhere A Cow Is Bawling
Kitten On The Keys
Tiger Rag

Customer Reviews:

Must for your collection ~ and your childrens collection.......2003-09-23

What a wonderful introduction to classical music for your children this CD is. My children love it and I do too. We use it as bedtime music now (ages 4 & 7). However, if your children really tune in to the music it can be a bit unnerving in parts so we used to only listen to it at home or in the car......they had to gain a few years to become comfortable with it in the darkness of their rooms at night. Buy this!

Teddy Bears a Must-Listen!.......2000-09-06

This is the first CD by the New Columbian Brass Band I have ever purchased, and I can't wait to own them all. This virtuoso group is a joy to listen to. Owning this CD is a must for lovers of brass band/turn-of-the-century music. It's a delight!

The cat's meow!.......2000-05-16

Dorian Recordings should be given some kind of award for the most imaginative releases of not only great historical but great musical value. (DOR-93201) features the New Columbian Brass Band under George Foreman playing 15 pieces written from 1900 to 1921 and inspired by animals.

So we have "The Teddy Bears Picnic," "A Morning in Noah's Ark," "The Two Little Bullfinches," "Turkey in the Straw," and even "Tiger Rag." The Noah's Ark number is replete with animal sounds by a guest expert and links up with an earlier Dorian release called "A Trip to Coney Island: Descriptive Overtures from America's Golden Age" (DOR-80153), which introduced me to a form of musical tone poem very popular around the turn of the century.

Tracks:

Adelaide Op.46
Der Tod Und Das Madchen D531
Auf Dem Wasser Zu Singen D774
Nacht Und Traume D827
Adelaide D95
Selve Amiche, Ombrose Piante
O Del Mio Dolce Ardor
Intorno All'idol Mio
Pur Dicesti, O Bocca Bella
L'Absent
Ou Voulez-Vous Aller?
Absence
Ser
Orpheus With His Lute
Linden Lea
Hands, Eyes And Heart
C'est Ainsi Que Tu Es FP 121 (Metamorphoses No.2)
Priez Pour Paix FP 95
La Belle Jeunesse FP 42 (Chansons Gaillardes No.7)
Sweeter Than Roses
I'll Sail Upon The Dog Star
Evening Hymn

Amazon.com's Best of 2000

It's a truism by now that countertenors have made a notable comeback in our time, but David Daniels--Amazon.com's Opera & Vocal Artist of 2000--isn't about to rest on his laurels. As if his recent successes weren't enough to set him apart, on this recital album Daniels forays beyond the countertenor's stereotypical domain of the baroque to interpret lieder of Beethoven and Schubert, as well as French mélodies and Vaughan Williams. A stunningly beautiful disc. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-05-30

The German and French art-song developed in parallel,but although they shared the same creative process based on the two key elements of words and music, they are distinct one from the other in their aim. Beethoven was one of the first to usher in the 'Leid'. Between 1795 and 1796 he drew inspiration from Friedich von Matthisson for his cantata 'Adelaide'. In 1814 Schubert set the same poem for his own 'Adelaide'. More than three-quarters of Schubert's songs are nature pictures as is 'Auf dem Wasser zu singen' on this disc. Other composers included on this recording are:Caldara-Gluck-Cesti-Lotte-Gounod-VaughanWilliams-Poulenc and Purcell.This disc absolutely delighted me. I can think of only one other countertenor who could have "pulled off" the variety of songs Daniels performs on this album. Most of them are quite well-known at least to singers and actually could be considered trite but not the way David Daniels sings them. He is so skillful with strong tone production when needed and always perfect diction. I marvel at the way he can implement the highly dramatic Italian aria and then sing the light "wispy" French songs. My personal favorites are "Adelaide" by Schubert. "Ou voulez-vous aller?" by Gounod and "I'll Sail Upon the DogStar by Purcell. In fact, if you are a Daniel's fan you MUST hear the Dog Star!!!!!

Outstandingly beautiful- a great legend in our time.......2005-06-22

This is a truly unique voice. David Daniels has an opulent timbre which he uses here to achieve sheer excellence. As much as I hate for his career to be upstaged by anything, knowing that he was tutored by Marilyn Horne seems to establish her vocal qualities as a suitable metaphor. It's that rich, opulent tone and secure vibrato that you don't get with some mezzos, let alone countertenors. No thin-ness here; no `hoot' and nothing shrill. He still has control though, and produces clean, even tones where appropriate. Think of the dramatic requirements of `Der Tod und das Madchen' and the celestial purity of `Absence' or `Ser'- he more than merely achieves the standards, he surpassed them and has set his own seal of distinction.

The choice of songs/arias is itself brilliant and Mr. Daniels' technique needs high praise. As a very minor observation, his diction, though good, doesn't come across as completely idiomatic. This is a VERY minor issue though. The pianist, Martin Katz is very responsive to the style of singing. Mr. Daniels' ability to sustain a phrase with grace and beauty is matched by Mr. Katz's sensitive touch and timing.

In parting, I recommend the ethereal experience of `Orpheus with his lute' (my favourite). The words, a Shakespearean sonnet, are of a straightforward beauty and the melody is from another realm but the singing? Mr. Daniels vocal control and phrasing are exquisite and his tone is sublime. Close your eyes and listen to this one quiet evening. "In sweet music is such art, killing care and grief of heart. Fall asleep, or hearing die." A lute and a song- a simple combination; yet profoundly moving beyond the raging elements. Thank you David.

Follow the Leider...For He Is David Daniels.......2004-08-18

Countertenor David Daniels takes a breather from his beloved Handel arias this time around for a recording of sheer beauty and most often tranquility, all the more surprising given the wide variety of tempos and international breadth of the program spanning five centuries. German leider from Beethoven and Schubert sits alongside Italian baroque songs followed by alternating French and English art songs. The 22 selections, once again reflecting his consummate musical taste, require him to sing in four different languages, and this South Carolina-born and -bred singer handles the daunting task with complete ease.

The result is a seamless recital, and the disc flows like an unfolding dream starting with Beethoven's enchanting "Adelaide". Schubert's "Naucht and Traume" highlights the purity of his tone and is as perfectly performed as any of his most moving opera arias. The Gounod pieces, especially "L'Absent" and the title track, have a sonorous quality that feel very much like lullabies, the sole exception being the lively "Ou voulez-vous aller?". Poulenc's "La belle Jeunesse" continues along this vein, a whirling dervish of a number referred in the accompanying booklet as an "invitation to debauchery". But these tracks are more the exception as Daniels achieves a lovely sense of vocal beatitude throughout.

The standout tracks have to be the three beautiful and somewhat more contemporary-sounding Vaughan Williams songs capped off by "Hands, eyes and heart", short and poignant, it is my favorite moment on this recording. The Renaissance-era Purcell selections provide the appropriate ending though, in particular, "Evening Hymn" sparked by the growing melismas on the hallelujahs. Whether he exhibits an astounding vibrato or the purest of tones, the man knows how to use his incredibly flexible voice and apply it intelligently to each song. Martin Katz accompanies with great precision and completely recognizes the individual style each song requires. It makes for a perfect pairing between singer and piano. This is a recording to treasure.

Countertenors: They're not just for Baroque Anymore!.......2004-03-23

OK, so it's a bad pun. Shoot me.

But get this wonderful disc! Daniels talent is well-served by this varied program.. he goes beyond Handel to sing Beethoven, Gounoud, Vaughan-Williams.

Don't just buy this for the novelty of countertenor singing: the singing would be 5 star had any mezzo (Bartoli, van Otter) sung with this sensitivity. It's superb in every regard.

Beyond Gimmick.......2002-08-01

At first it seems odd...countertenors are supposed to stay within certain boundaries. We let them have Baroque music, and even Gluck, and of course we let them have 20th century things written specifically for them, especially Britten. But to hear a countertenor singing Schubert, Beethoven or French melodies goes against our expectations. So we think, this must be a gimmick. But then Daniels voice takes over and such questions disappear.

Daniels sings this music as if it was inteneded for the countertenor. His sensitivity to the intimate marriage of text and music is phenomenal and his tone is always light and lyrical. I prefer this to many overblown sopranos that I've heard. Daniels weaves a spell that few singers of any voice type can match.

The Gounod is particularly beautiful. I had not been familiar with Gounod's art song before, and I've been missing something. L'Absent brought tears to my eyes just as the best Melodie of Duparc or Faure. And he sings Schubert as if he was born to it.

Tracks:

Rhapsodies: Rhapsody In Blue (1924)
Rhapsodies: Preludes For Piano (1926): 1 Allegro ben ritmato e deciso, 2 Andante con moto e poco rubato, 3 Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Rhapsodies: Short Story (1925)
Rhapsodies: Violin Piece (Gershwin Melody No. 40)
Rhapsodies: Second Rhapsody For Orchestra With Piano (1932)
Rhapsodies: For Lily Pons (Gershwin Melody No. 79, 1933)
Rhapsodies: Sleepless Night (Gershwin Melody No. 17, 1936)
Rhapsodies: Promenade ('Walking The Dog')

Customer Reviews:

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS GLORIFIES GERSHWIN.......2007-05-13

ANYONE WHO LOVES GERSHWIN WILL CHERISH THIS GRAND MEMENTO OF HIS MUSIC. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

A treat for the ears.......2004-01-11

Given all the recordings available of Gershwin in general, and the Rhapsody in Blue in particular, and given that there are three versions of the Rhapsody, and given that even those who love the Rhapsody most likely came to it through the full symphony version, there is a real treat in store here for those who've never heard the jazz band version, or who have heard it, loved it, but have never been able to find it anywhere.

The jazz band version was the first, and is unrelenting fun from beginning to end. There is an almost infectious joy written into the music, which is completely missing from the symphonic version. Listen to this disc and rediscover an old favorite.

Fall in love with Gershwin.......2003-08-05

This CD by Michael Tilson Thomas was one of the first I picked up to start my collection of Gershwin's music. His splendid way of bringing out Gershwin's flair is invigorating. I listen to this wonderful CD more often than any other CD I own; the music is impossible to get bored with. Thomas's unique Second Rhapsody particularily grabbed my attention and I find myself humming it often. This CD is an excellent starter to your very own Gershwin collection and a unique, valuable addition to those familiar to Gershwin's tunes.

Great Jazz Rhadsody in Blue But..........2002-10-05

I recall this recording when it was issued as an LP several years ago. The jazz band recording of Rhapsody in Blue is quite a novelty since we usually heard the version for full orchestra. Both orchestrations by Ferde Grofe are wonderful but the jazz band version with its smaller forces is refreshing to hear. The short pieces recorded here like Short Story, Sleepless Night and the Promenade (Walking the Dog) are quite great compositions and are seldom recorded.

However, I have serious reservations about Mr. Tilson Thomas' performance of the Second Rhapsody. This piece is called a "recreation" from George Gershwin's manuscript. One wonders what this means. The Second Rhapsody was originally a sequence in the film Delicious (under the name Manhattan Rhapsody where it was part of a New York setting) which Gershwin developed into a concert work. Gershwin said there was no program for the Rhapsody. The theme Gershwin started with was one he refereed to as a "rivet theme." I think the title given to the Rhapsody (Rhapsody in Rivets) would not have originated with Gershwin.

The Second Rhapsody has not been a popular piece but has been played and recorded before (notably by Oscar Levant with Morton Gould and his Orchestra). Gershwin recorded the work with an orchestra he hired (available on Music masters) before making some corrections to the score for publication. It is an unfortunate fact that Mr. Tilson Thomas performs the Second Rhapsody with his own embellishments. He was asked by Ira Gershwin to stop this practice but, as far as I am aware, Mr. Tilson Thomas never did, so the recording here should list the Second Rhapsody by Gershwin-Tilson Thomas.

Sorry but I cannot recommend a disc where too many liberites have been taken.

Fantastic "Rhapsody in Blue" and more.......2002-09-07

Tilson Thomas on piano and the LA Phil behind him, it is the other end of the piano roll restoration version. You know MTT is inside the music and he draws you into it too. This album is a rock in my Gershwin collection.

Music:

Music

music

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