Gershwin Blue

Following the success of his first Decca release of solo piano music by Chopin, Liszt, and Ravel, Benjamin Grosvenor demonstrates his aptitude in the concerto repertoire on his second CD, Rhapsody in Blue, recorded with James Judd and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. This is a refreshing change from the usual Tchaikovsky or Rachmaninov concertos one hears from young artists eager to impress, and Grosvenor is clever enough to play not only engaging concertos by Saint-Saëns, Ravel, and Gershwin, but to toss in short bon-bons by these composers to sweeten the program.

Arthur Fiedler /BPO - Gershwin: An American in Paris / Rhapsody in Blue
Vinyl Rip in 24-Bit/96-kHz | FLAC tracks | Full Scan Covers | MU, RS | 605 MB 3% recovery
1960 | Genre: Classical | Label: RCA | LSC-2367 | US original pressing
RCA Living Stereo, shaded dog label
Listed in TAS (The Absolute Sound)

Gershwin’s instrumental masterpiece is the brief Rhapsody in Blue, written first for solo piano (not by Gershwin, who reportedly could neither read nor write music notation) then orchestrated in several versions by its commissioner, band leader Paul Whiteman. The work is a brief and effective encyclopaedic showcase for the rhythmic and instrumental trademarks of the "jazz" style. Fiedler’s performance of the arrangement for symphony orchestra is one of the most effective.

(Paul Shoemaker - MusicWeb)

Commemorating the 1924 premiere of Rhapsody in Blue, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet collaborates with Michael Feinstein, the ‘one-man encyclopaedia of the Great American Songbook’ to celebrate the magic of Gershwin. Gershwin Rhapsody sees best-loved Gershwin melodies sit alongside world-premiere recordings of four rediscovered Gershwin songs: ‘Graceful and Elegant’, ‘Dance of the Waves’, ‘Sutton Place’ and ‘Under the Cinnamon Tree’. The album also includes a medley based on Rhapsody in Blue comprising a selection of piano duos, solos and Feinstein vocals featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin. The two also perform a Gershwin-esque setting of Vincent Youman’s classic tune, ‘Tea for Two’ and the programme rounds off with ‘Jasbo Brown Blues’ from Porgy and Bess. Michael Feinstein and Jean-Yves Thibaudet extensively toured this programme around the US under the title ‘Who Could Ask For Anything More?’ including a date at Carnegie Hall.