Looking for Rhapsody in Blue

[Canucklehead]

What performance of Rhapsody in Blue can you recommend me? It needs to be available in Canada (through amazon.ca, chapters.ca, futureshop.ca, or bestbuy.ca).

Thanks

 

[mbhaub]

Well, there are many recordings of this, and many of them are excellent. In fact, there are hardly any bad ones. But, for me, the classic version is the Earl Wild on RCA with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. I see it's been released on SACD, and comes with Fiedler's fine American in Paris, too. The Bernstein/NY version is also a keeper, and played with more brashness.

 

[drarthurwells]

I like the version on DG (1993) with James Levine conducting the Chicago Sym. Orch.

Has a nice jazz flavor.

 

[bigshot]

There's a version for jazz band using Gershwin's piano roll conducted by Tilson Thomas. It's not what you would normally expect for the piece- very fast, but it's great all the same. I really prefer jazz band Gershwin to symphonic. There's also a recreation of Paul Whiteman's Aeolean Hall concert where the piece was debuted that's really nice. If you'd like the info, I can look it up for you. The all time classic orchestral version is Oscar Levant with Ormandy. Bernstein is great in this too.

See ya
Steve

 

[blessingx]

You should probably start with Gershwin Plays Gershwin.

Plus I know it's not a popular choice, but I still have a soft spot for the Manhattan Soundtrack.

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot There's a version for jazz band using Gershwin's piano roll conducted by Tilson Thomas. It's not what you would normally expect for the piece- very fast, but it's great all the same. I really prefer jazz band Gershwin to symphonic. There's also a recreation of Paul Whiteman's Aeolean Hall concert where the piece was debuted that's really nice. If you'd like the info, I can look it up for you. The all time classic orchestral version is Oscar Levant with Ormandy. Bernstein is great in this too. See ya Steve

I like that one too (the Thomas). Not familar with the others.

 

[Canucklehead]

Thanks for the recommendations.
I prefer a symphonic version. I think its better suited to the timbre and grandioseness of an orchestra.

 

[bigshot]

You should go for the Bernstein then. The Fiedler is jazzier and less symphonic. Gershwin didn't orchestrate the symphonic Rhapsody In Blue... that was done by Ferde Grofe. The version Gershwin arranged was for Paul Whiteman's band. He designed several of the parts, like the clarinet glissando at the opening, to suit the particular styles of the musicians in Whiteman's band. I much prefer the jazz band version myself, just like I prefer Porgy & Bess played as a jazzy Broadway show rather than as an opera.

See ya
Steve

 

[DarkAngel]

Absolutely go for Bernstein as 1st choice, this style music plays right into composer Bernstein's strong suite, Lenny conducts and plays piano for Rhapsody in Blue........the American in Paris if anything is even finer performance. a fabulous CD!

The also excellent Wild/Fieldler/RCA makes good 2nd choice

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel Absolutely go for Bernstein as 1st choice, this style music plays right into composer Bernstein's strong suite, Lenny conducts and plays piano for Rhapsody in Blue........the American in Paris if anything is even finer performance. a fabulous CD! The also excellent Wild/Fieldler/RCA makes good 2nd choice

Damn.

Now I've got to get that one too.

 

[GanChan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drarthurwells Damn. Now I've got to get that one too.

I bought this one several years ago, when it was part of the "Royal" collection, which just meant that it had a boring watercolor landscape by Prince Charles on the cover.

When you learn the work from this recording, all future recordings sound "wrong" somehow. I think it really helps to have an actual composer conducting himself at the piano.

IIRC, in addition to Rhapsody in Blue and American in Paris, this disc (at least the "Royal" release I have) also features a blistering account of the Candide overture and a classic performance of the West Side Story orchestral suite. But maybe this CD incarnation lacks those extras.

 

[Doc Sarvis]

I'll be a dissenter on this. For some reason the Lenny recording has never clicked for me. I like the Wild/Fiedler version (just re-released on RCA SACD), and oddly enough, the Graffman/Mehta version found on the "Manhattan" soundtrack. The latter was my first exposure to the piece, so maybe that's why I like it.

 

[iancraig10]

Simon Rattle did a 'Jazz Album' with Rhapsody in Blue on it. It is the original jazz band version rather than the big orchestral version, but I prefer it. Also on the album are other jazz related pieces like 'Creation of the World' by Milhaud (excellent) and some 20's songs. It's a nice album.

 

[xixco]

I recommend the version from Fantasia 2000, as that's the only version with which I'm remotely familiar.

no seriously though, which "variation" would that version be considered: jazz or orchestra?