This page lists all recordings of Rhapsody in Blue, by George Gershwin (1898-1937) on SACD. Generally, more recent releases are listed first, but with priority given to those that are in stock. |
Prices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.)
See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Rhapsody in Blue
Freddy Kempf and Andrew Litton with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra here join forces to present a disc of works by George Gershwin. Rhapsody in Blue was originally arranged by Ferde Grofé for jazz band before being orchestrated for symphony orchestra. Here Kempf and the Bergen Philharmonic play this original version. Concerto in F was a commission for Gershwin to write a ‘proper’ piano concerto, but still takes the rhythms, melodic structures and bluesy harmonies of popular music. The disc is completed by Gershwin’s two remaining works for piano and orchestra, the Second Rhapsody and Variations on ‘I Got Rhythm’. “His first entry in the ambitious Concerto in F is a touch disappointing...But his playing after that combines dazzling articulation with a feeling for jazz rhythms and big Broadway-style tunes...Litton, no slouch himself as a Gershwin pianist, provides an idiomatic accompaniment with his Bergen Philharmonic, resplendently recorded with the piano nicely integrated into the texture.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2012 **** “Freddy Kempf is totally efficient and well balanced in this recording, and in the finale his repeated-note panache is breathtaking, threatening to come unstuck - but it never does...The chief attraction of this CD is getting all these pieces together in convincing performances.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2012 “This is a fun reading [of the Rhapsody], but Kempf doesn’t sound quite as unbuttoned as in the later pieces. There’s plenty of technical brilliance – staggering rapid passage work and articulation, but the emotional thrills are provided by Litton’s Bergen forces... But stick with Kempf – it’s a thrill to hear him slowly drop his guard and deliver a slow movement of melting beauty” The Arts Desk, 8th September 2012 | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  |
Jon Nakamatsu (piano) Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Jeff Tyzik “Unquestionably the best Gershwin disc to come along in years…a reading that captures the music's elegance and wit as few pianists have since Earl Wild… Tyzik has a chance to strut his stuff in the Cuban Overture, the best performance of that chestnut to come along in many a moon as well. …an object lesson in how this music should be conducted. Harmonia Mundi's engineering complements the performances in all formats…You'll love this disc!” Classics Today “The American winner of the 1997 Van Cliburn Competition plays with a spring in his step - and a stylish one at that - and is plainly enjoying himself…” Gramophone Magazine, July 2007 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Gershwin Album
Johannette Zomer (soprano) & Michel Ponsioen (percussion) The Gents & Haags Saxophone Quartet, Béni Csillag Broadway musicals and jazz belong to the cultural heritage of America. But people thought differently in George Gershwin's day - the 1920s and 30s. Broadway shows were immensely popular, but were rarely considered as art. Jazz was a subculture secretly appreciated by many white Americans, but in the same way as they liked to see wild animals at the circus - at a safe distance. It had yet to be realised that amusement music was a unique and characteristic part of American culture. “American music is not jazz, and jazz is not music”, wrote the influential music critic Paul Rosenfeld in 1929. Precisely what, then, was American music? George Gershwin (1898-1937) was one of the first to show the world. (from: liner notes) After recordings of English Renaissance and German romantic music, and twentieth- century works from France, The Gents venture across the ocean to the new world, with a CD that takes them to Broadway. Jetse Bremer has specially arranged the last compositions by George Gershwin for this combination of soloist, choir and instruments and the flexibility and homogeneous sound of The Gents matches these songs so well. For the singers of The Gents and soprano Johannette Zomer, with their classical background, this repertoire is a special challenge, raising the question where classical stops or changes into something else.... | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
|
|
| |  | The Gershwin/Ravel Cycle
“Ravel once played Rhapsody in Blue to Gershwin at a private party. It's tempting to think it must have sounded something like Rogé's performance here: sophisticated, elegant, oh-so-well-well-behaved… the Left Hand Concerto starts well with wonderfully saturnine grumblings and a superbly sculpted long orchestral crescendo. Rogé's long soliloquy after the Allegro's huge climax is particularly fine.” BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2008 **** “Rogé’s playing of Ravel’s Left-Hand concerto is masterly. He has complete technical regard for the work; more importantly, he appreciates the range of the music, its darkness, menace, anger, other-worldly escape,
introspection and defiance.” International Piano, May/June 2008 | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
|
|
| |  |
| | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
|
|
| |  | The Fascinating George GershwinA selection of works by George Gershwin, arranged by Bob Zimmerman
| | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
|
|
| |
|
