Off topic-Rhapsody in Blue

[MK]

Hi all -- just thought I'd delurk in response to this.

Some Public Radio stations run a show called "The Record Shelf" hosted by
Jim Sjveda (hope I spelled it right), a classical DJ from KUSC here in Los
Angeles.  Yesterday's show (11/4/01) featured the life and recordings of
Oscar Levant.  It included a dynamite recording of Rhapsody in Blue, done
with Ormandy and the Philadelphia -- fabulous stuff.  Sjveda said that
Levant was Gershwin's favorite interpreter of his own piano works.  You
might want to give it a listen; it's really impressive.  Also, Sjveda played
Levant's gorgeous recording of the 3 Preludes.  Breathtaking.

Also, there's a CD out called "Gershwin Plays Gershwin" that includes a
truncated version of Rhapsody in Blue (among other works) with the Paul
Whiteman band.  Worth hearing just for the sassy clarinet that starts it
off -- the whole orchestra has a real attitude that you just don't find on
santized classical recordings.  The thing that I notice most about
Gershwin's technique is a driving, rhythmic left hand that just won't quit.
Exactly what you'd expect of a guy who made his bones on Tin Pan Alley while
still a kid.

Good luck -- and I envy anybody who's got the technique to attempt the
Rhapsody!

Mickey Kessler



----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Newell" <gnewell@ameritech.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2001 9:01 PM
Subject: Re: Off topic-Rhapsody in Blue


> Wasn't there a PBS special about a yuear ago or so that had Gershwin
playing
> his own Rhapsody in Blue? It went on for a while about his life and start
in
> music. The families first piano etc., etc. Perhaps you could get something
> either in the way of a recording, video, or at least a point in the right
> direction from PBS.
>
> Greg
>
> Charles Neuman wrote:
>
> > Dan Dannenfelser wrote:
> >
> >  > I've been butchering my way through the piano solo version of
> >  > "Rhapsody in
> >  > Blue," and I'd like to obtain a few of the better recorded versions,
> >  > in order
> >  > to feel properly humbled.  Any suggestions or favorites out there?
> >
> > I had the pleasure of doing a similar butchering job a few years ago.
> > While I didn't search very hard, the only recorded version I have is
> > "Gershwin Plays Gershwin". Frankly, I was always suspicious of whether
> > or not that was actually Gershwin playing, because it was one of those
> > cheap CDs with no liner notes. If you know of any other good versions,
> > please let me know.
> >
> > Another thing I've been curious about: Do you happen to know if the solo
> > version is an arrangement that was done by Gershwin, or was it done by
> > some music publisher? Mine is published by Warner Brothers Publications,
> > and it doesn't say anything about who did the solo arrangement. I was
> > always curious about that.
> >
> > Sorry that I have more questions than answers on your post!
> >
> > Charles Neuman
> > PTG Assoc, Long Island - Nassau
>
> --
> Greg Newell
> mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net
>