Audio CD review:
George Gershwin, James Levine, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ferde Grofé - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue/Cuban Overture/Porgy and Bess Suite/An American in Paris

George Gershwin, James Levine, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ferde Grofé - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue/Cuban Overture/Porgy and Bess Suite/An American in Paris

Band: George Gershwin, James Levine, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ferde Grofé Title: Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue/Cuban Overture/Porgy and Bess Suite/An American in Paris Rating: Release Date: 15 June, 1993 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Rhapsody In Blue 2: Cuban Overture 3: 'Porgy and Bess' Suite 4: An American In Paris

Customer Reviews As good as any Rhapsody But the real reason to buy this recording is for the couplings--which are far better than the rest. I've also got Bernstein and Wild and this Rhapsody is as good as any of them. 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 She loves it. Bought this CD for our 7-year-old daughter for her birthday. 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 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 am not a sound engineer but, clearly something was done outstandingly right in the production of this CD. 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. . You can see a complete list of all George Gershwin, James Levine, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ferde Grofé discography, or go back to the George Gershwin, James Levine, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ferde Grofé tabs