Audio CD review:
George Gershwin, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, André Previn - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - Piano Concerto in F - An American in Paris

George Gershwin, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, André Previn - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - Piano Concerto in F - An American in Paris

Band: George Gershwin, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, André Previn Title: Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - Piano Concerto in F - An American in Paris Rating: Release Date: 25 October, 1990 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: 'Rhapsody In Blue' 2: 'An American In Paris': I. Allegretto grazioso 3: 'An American In Paris': II. Andante ma con ritmo deciso 4: Piano Concerto In F: I. Allegro 5: Piano Concerto In F: II. Adagio 6: Piano Concerto In F: III. Allegro agitato

Customer Reviews Great American music from a great American orchestra! One can see traffic and people scurrying about, bright lights and flickering marquis shining up and down the avenues, and even a sense of lonliness or self contemplation from a lone boarder in a lost tenament; if you have grown up near to or lived a city life, this music seems to romanticize this and this recording best exemplifies it. One of the most captivating aspects of a Gershwin piece is its built in "urban" sound. Previn's readings, while a different caliber than Bernstein's or even the Wild/Fiedler couplings, has always been the more laid back interpreter which works quite well with jazzy Gershwin pieces. A real treasure of this album is how the old Heinz Hall acoustic (gone forever now since Maazel butchered it) captured Previn and the Pittsburgh orchestra in such an American sounding reading, not even symphony hall in Boston compares. I once listened to a Slovak orchestra attempt Gershwin and it sounded too European to even bother with. True, the cymbal and bass drum on this disc jump out of your speakers but that's because the symphony's percussion have historically offered nothing less than lax readings, always out of balance with the ensmeble. I do think Stanley Leonard's opening tympani performance in the Piano Concerto is as in tune and balanced as I've ever heard. This album was recorded at the time Previn stepped down from his post with the Pittsburgh. The Gershwin pieces were his last offerings to the public as the symphony's music director that year and there really is a lot of beautiful music making here. This is a great disc for the interpretations and for the spectacular acoustics captured by the Philips engineers. Although a 23 old recording, the works are as fresh and alive as the day Previn and the Pittsburgh recorded them. Rhapsody in Blue He was one of the best performers around. I absolutely love Gershwin. No one has come close to him and maybe never will. I began listening to him about two years ago and haven't stopped. I am happy to have come across his music. It absolutely changed my life. When I have a worrysome day or it's one of those rainy, snowy, sleety, don't really need to be out in it weather days, I put on Gerhwin and the day lifts in ways that could not ever be conveyed by words. Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris has proven to be my favorites. However Cuban Overture and other works has influenced me in many ways also. I would love for anyone who has not had the pleasures of Gershwin to sit down on any day and listen to these magnificent works. I'm sure you will be thrilled. I am only twenty three and I have found Gershwin replacing a lot of my other music in my collection. When you have a bad day it's easy to pick up something that identify's with your bad mood. The difference with Gerhswin is that he takes you out of yourself and allows you to picture yourself in Paris or intertwine you in the musical bliss so much so that your bad day or event becomes nonexistant for at least a little bit. Sometimes it's nice to listen to something like that rather than the misery loves company music. I hope people like Michael Finstein and others continue to praise his music because with a lot of the garbage on the radios and videos, it's nice to come back to one of the first creator's of music and soul. . Album will put a little hop in your steps If you are willing to let lose and take yourself away for awhile then this is the album for you. This album will put you in the mood for a little dancing and take you away from the everyday world for a bit. . You can see a complete list of all George Gershwin, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, André Previn discography, or go back to the George Gershwin, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, André Previn tabs