Gershwin: An American in Paris & Piano Concerto in F

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The first track, the Overture to Of Thee I Sing, immediately sets the tone — not the overture as we usually hear it, but the 1934 radio version, trimmed in length and with lean orchestration.... — Financial Times, 26th August 2016 More…

Release Date: 26th Aug 2016
Catalogue No: HMU907658
Label: Harmonia Mundi
Length: 56 minutes

Gershwin: Of Thee I Sing: Overture (radio version)

Work length3:21

$1.00

$1.25

$1.45

Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F major

Work length29:41

$3.80

$4.75

$5.55

I. Allegro

Track length12:25

$1.40

$1.75

$2.05

II. Adagio

Track length10:22

$1.40

$1.75

$2.05

III. Allegro agitato

Track length6:54

$1.00

$1.25

$1.45

Gershwin: Preludes (3)

Work length6:14

$3.00

$3.75

$4.35

I. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso

Track length1:36

$1.00

$1.25

$1.45

II. Andante con moto e poco rubato

Track length3:17

$1.00

$1.25

$1.45

III. Agitato

Track length1:21

$1.00

$1.25

$1.45

Gershwin: An American in Paris, tone poem

Work length16:57

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Working from Gershwin’s original manuscripts, Steven Richman and the Harmonie Ensemble/New York recapture the lean, unsentimental style the composer intended for 'An American in Paris' and 'Concerto in F', here featuring Lincoln Mayorga as the piano soloist. Also included are the first recordings of the Overture to 'Of Thee I Sing' (radio version) and Roy Bargy’s orchestration of the 'Three Preludes' [pianist and arranger with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra]. Lincoln Mayorga was staff pianist for Walt Disney Studios and composed music for the TV show ‘Fame’. He has recorded works by Chopin, Brahms, and Prokofiev, as well as songs by Gershwin and Kern with the late Marnie Nixon. He was also soloist on the 'Gershwin by Grofé' and 'Symphonic Jazz: Grofé and Gershwin', which included the premiere recording of Gershwin’s Second Rhapsody as arranged by Ferde Grofé.

Reviews

26th August 2016

The first track, the Overture to Of Thee I Sing, immediately sets the tone — not the overture as we usually hear it, but the 1934 radio version, trimmed in length and with lean orchestration. The Concerto in F benefits from nimble playing from pianist Lincoln Mayorga and the composer’s original intentions for the orchestration. An American in Paris is quick on its feet, performed with youthful zest and slimmed-down sound by the Harmonie Ensemble, New York.

September 2016

The Concerto in F hasn’t sounded so fresh, so idiomatic and so rhythmically alive since Earl Wild’s classic RCA recording, no small thanks to piano soloist Lincoln Mayorga’s ability to fuse his brilliant classical technique with a genuine feeling for Gershwin’s syncopated language and bluesy inflections … No Gershwin fan should miss this disc.

3rd November 2016

This is another tremendous Gershwin anthology from Steven Richman and I enjoyed it mightily. The recordings are bright, dynamic and positive. The sound is up-front and bold although not in an aggressive sense. The engineers have come up with a result that suits the music and the performances ideally. Donald Rosenberg’s notes are excellent. If, like me, you love George Gershwin’s music you must hear this album.

1st September 2016

Textually and texturally, this is Gershwin with a breath of fresh air, light, dry, nothing hammy or the slightest bit overdone. It includes rarely heard versions of the Three Preludes and the Overture to Of Thee I Sing. But in what amounts to Gershwin with period flavour, the real surprise is An American in Paris, without the treacle.

Gershwin: An American in Paris & Piano Concerto in F

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