Audio CD review:
George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstain, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony Orchestra - Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue/An American In Paris

George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstain, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony Orchestra - Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue/An American In Paris

Band: George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstain, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony Orchestra Title: Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue/An American In Paris Rating: Release Date: 25 October, 1990 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Rhapsody in Blue 2: An American in Paris

Customer Reviews Superb performance of the most moving piece of American classical music There is a special vitality to the performance here. The feeling is that Bernstein truly 'gets' this music, that its pace, its mood really speak to him, and the orchestra. But of course the heart of the greatness is the music itself. 'American in Paris' is one of Gershwin's finer pieces but 'Rhapsody in Blue' is the gem of all his non-vocal music, and I believe, the greatest of all 'classical'pieces of American music. It has a lyric intensity and beauty a romantic fire that no other piece of American music I know, can hope to reasonably compare with. Many complain, including Bernstein that it is not truly a single organic developing composition but rather a set of set pieces placed one after the other. Nonetheless there are moments in it so beautiful, that they truly take the person in joy to another world in feeling. What a genius Gershwin had when he wrote this work. Gershwin/Bernstein: Rhapsody In Blue and American In Paris I have many of their recordings in addition to many recordings of other orchestras; some great, some not so much. In my opinion you just can't go wrong with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. . . but the New York Phil is cosistently great. This recording is a superb example of Gershwin's writing, thoughtfully reproduced by a fine orchestra. Both the brashness of the pieces and the subtleties are interpreted well by Mr. Bernstein and the orchestra. The soloists are nothing other than excellent. The brass section is easily as strong as the Chicago symphony's famous section, and the strings intonation is superb. The pathos and the humor of both pieces are readily projected by this sensitive orchestra and conductor. I couldn't recommend this recording higher!. A glorious tribute! Few pianists (and Bernstein is among them) were able to convey the listener, this savoir vivre, humor, elegance, that idiomatic atmosphere that plainly justifies your effort. To play Gershwin accurately demands from the player, the absolute domain of an invisible taste, unsaid in the score. To my mind, there just have been five pianists who have surmounted this peak: Oscar Levant, Jesus Maria Sanroma, Eugene List, Earl Wild and Leonard Bernstein. So, under any pretext you should miss this invaluable musical gem. . . You can see a complete list of all George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstain, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony Orchestra discography, or go back to the George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstain, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony Orchestra tabs