Search - George Gershwin, Robert Farnon, London Festival Orchestra :: Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue; An American in Paris; Porgy & Bess - Symphonic Suite

Great Gershwin!

Brian H. Williams | Manteca, CA United States | 09/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was the recording of Rhapsody in Blue I grew up with. My farther purchased it when I was a child. As you get older and gain perspective about recordings, sometimes the performances you liked when you were young, no longer carry the same inspiration. Not so with this recording. Stanley Black, that tremendously talented British composer, pianist, arranger and conductor has given us Rhapsody filled with panache, emotion and flair. He resists the temptation to turn it into a jazz performance, so common these days, in the attempt to give the listener an "authentic" performance. Black gives it a strong concerto style recording performance, but also brings out the jazz in an exciting way. His phrasing and touch, not to mention the glorious sonics of Phase 4 stereo, combined with the lush strings of the London Festival orchestra, make this a wonderful recording. One that I promise that you enjoy much more than Bernstein's recording on Sony."

Saved a life

G. Faulkner | NY, United States | 01/02/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the recording of Stanley Black's Rhapsody In Blue that purportedly saved Brian Wilson from total self-destruction. Helped him through a very difficult period in his life and kept him afloat for many months. A must to own."