Straight from the Cracker Jacks box!
All of you know George Gershwin's, "Rhapsody in Blue." Written in 1924. An exciting time. I like comparing different versions of classical music compositions, especially this one. Well, here is a version which expresses Gershwin's original mood and intention - because it incorporates Gershwin himself playing the piano in 1924 - using the piano roll he used to record his playing! How awesome is that?
In this piece, you don't get that slowed-down, drawn-out flow of incomplete emotions, where the piano solos sound rambling, cold and unattached to the melodic parts. Instead, it is all of one piece, filled with life and honesty, bustling forward with the times. And, you can hear the Ravel influence. And the interest in chaos that was common in art back then, tandemly influencing performers into the 1980's.
As far as feeling the blues in this piece, it is easy, as it is coherent with the whole Dixieland, ragtime spirit and feel. Compared to other versions, this one is like 17th century folk music compared to lumbering, insulated classical; or like early 1900's roots jazz bands compared to Glenn Miller, or Offenbach compared to Barry Manolo. It's got that 'heart and soul', as well as youthful rambunctiousness.
Michael Tilson Thomas, and the Columbia Jazz Band, recorded this during an another positive time, 1976, by featuring Gershwin's 1924 piano roll, with accompaniment and a few tweaks. I am including a few dif youtube pages. (One day, I'll go back and find the best one).
Or try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIr_WPcVDt8
https://www.discogs.com/George-Gershwin-Accompanied-By-Michael-Tilson-Thomas-Conducting-The-Columbia-Jazz-Band-Rhapsody-In-B/release/5124854
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWitnmj9S84
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFHdRkeEnpM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IsQ29EL6tA
In this piece, you don't get that slowed-down, drawn-out flow of incomplete emotions, where the piano solos sound rambling, cold and unattached to the melodic parts. Instead, it is all of one piece, filled with life and honesty, bustling forward with the times. And, you can hear the Ravel influence. And the interest in chaos that was common in art back then, tandemly influencing performers into the 1980's.
As far as feeling the blues in this piece, it is easy, as it is coherent with the whole Dixieland, ragtime spirit and feel. Compared to other versions, this one is like 17th century folk music compared to lumbering, insulated classical; or like early 1900's roots jazz bands compared to Glenn Miller, or Offenbach compared to Barry Manolo. It's got that 'heart and soul', as well as youthful rambunctiousness.
Michael Tilson Thomas, and the Columbia Jazz Band, recorded this during an another positive time, 1976, by featuring Gershwin's 1924 piano roll, with accompaniment and a few tweaks. I am including a few dif youtube pages. (One day, I'll go back and find the best one).
Click to viewOr try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIr_WPcVDt8
https://www.discogs.com/George-Gershwin-Accompanied-By-Michael-Tilson-Thomas-Conducting-The-Columbia-Jazz-Band-Rhapsody-In-B/release/5124854
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWitnmj9S84
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFHdRkeEnpM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IsQ29EL6tA