Ferde Grofé; George Gershwin - Grand Canyon Suite; etc. (Leonard Bernstein)

Information

Composer: Ferde Grofé; George Gershwin

1. Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue (orch. Ferde Grofé)
2. Gershwin - An American in Paris
3. Grofé - Grand Canyon Suite: I. Sunrise
4. Grofé - Grand Canyon Suite: II. Painted Desert
5. Grofé - Grand Canyon Suite: III. On the Trail
6. Grofé - Grand Canyon Suite: IV. Sunset
7. Grofé - Grand Canyon Suite: V. Cloudburst

New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Leonard Bernstein, conductor

Date: 1959, 1958, 1963
Label: Sony Classical

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Review

These are performances of proven pedigree, the only reservations being Bernstein’s heavily cut and somewhat ponderous (at least in the closing pages) version of Rhapsody in Blue. Like almost everything Bernstein did, it’s full of character, but whether or not this means character of the right sort will be very much a matter of individual taste. No such reservations accompany the performance of An American in Paris, which has all of the requisite panache and not a shred of vulgarity or cheapness. It’s a loving, vital, even moving performance as memorable for the nostalgic (but not too schmaltzy) central interlude as for its brasher episodes. It is, in fact, a touch reserved in such places as the big jazz tune on trumpet that precedes the return to the opening, and serves as proof positive that Bernstein’s head was as much a factor in his performances as was his heart.

The Grofé receives a smashing performance, highly colored in the closing “Cloudburst” and deliciously sly in “On the Trail”, but again never maudlin or trashy. It goes without saying that Benny Goodman and the Columbia Jazz Combo turn in as distinguished an account of Prelude, Fugue and Riffs as any. The remastered sound doesn’t improve hugely on previous issues, but then it didn’t really have to. This is good late-’50s/early-’60s stereo that won’t win any audiophile awards but nevertheless suits the performances and never comes between the music and the listener. Very good then, if you can live with Bernstein’s (as opposed to Gershwin’s) Rhapsody–and who wouldn’t want to do that?

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Bernstein-Century-Gershwin-Rhapsody-American/dp/B0000029XJ

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ferde Grofé (March 27, 1892 – April 3, 1972) was an American composer, arranger, pianist and instrumentalist. Grofé studied in Leipzig, Germany, and became proficient on a wide range of instruments including piano, violin, viola, baritone horn, alto horn and cornet. His most memorable arrangement is that of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, which established Grofé's reputation among jazz musicians. In addition to being an arranger, Grofé composed a large number of works in a variety of styles, commonly in symphonic jazz. He is best known for his composition of the Grand Canyon Suite (1931).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferde_Grof%C3%A9

***

George Gershwin (September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known. Among his best-known works are the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American in Paris (1928) as well as the opera Porgy and Bess (1935). Gershwin's compositions have been adapted for use in many films and for television, and several became jazz standards recorded in many variations. Many celebrated singers and musicians have covered his songs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gershwin

***

Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American composer, conductor, author, music lecturer, and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the US to receive worldwide acclaim. His fame derived from his tenure as the music director of the New York Philharmonic, his concerts with most of the world's leading orchestras, and his composition. As a composer he wrote in many styles encompassing symphonic and orchestral music, ballet, film and theatre music, choral works, opera, chamber music and piano pieces. He also gave numerous television lectures on classical music.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Bernstein

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLAC, tracks

Links in comment

Enjoy!