Favorite Gershwin Work?

[kyjo]

Yeah, I know, I have the most random poll ideas! Well, since, Gershwin composed so little ( ), I thought voting for a favorite work of his would be ideal for a poll. For me, it was a tough choice between the Catfish Row Suite and the PC, but I ended up choosing the former. I've been in love with this work ever since I was a kid. Those rhythms are so infectious! Confession time: I've never even listened to the complete opera of Porgy and Bess, but, then again, I have never felt the urge to. The Catfish Row Suite is all I need.

[Mirror Image]

Not a big Gershwin fan but I've always loved the Porgy & Bess Suite (Catfish Row).

[mc ukrneal]

Rhapsody in Blue, followed by anything I Got Rhythm.

[Christo]

AAP

[The new erato]

This poll is b......t. His best works are in his superb musicals that must be heard complete. This poll is tantamount to asking what is Wagner's best work and listing up the symphony in F and a few bleeding chunks as choices, and only one of his complete operas. Sorry to be blunt, but as a fan of classical musicals, that's the rub. That's music of humor, originality, wit and superb workmanship, in short, everything one expects of a Haydn symphony. But at least you got Porgy and Bess right.

[TheGSMoeller]

AAP

This, and it's a fun film too.

[Silk]

Not a big Gershwin fan but I've always loved the Porgy & Bess Suite (Catfish Row).

I am a Gershwin fan and just adore his theater music - Porgy and Bess is superb and a poignant reminder of where this wonderful composer could have gone if only his life hadn't been snuffed out at 39 years of age.

[DavidW]

Rhapsody in Blue

[The new erato]

I am a Gershwin fan and just adore his theater music - Porgy and Bess is superb and a poignant reminder of where this wonderful composer could have gone if only his life hadn't been snuffed out at 39 years of age.

It's a pity he didn't live longer, but who would say "Imagine what a great composer Mozart could have become if only he had lived longer". Gershwin was a great composer...period.

[Sergeant Rock]

P & B


Sarge

[North Star]

It's a pity he didn't live longer, but who would say "Imagine what a great composer Mozart could have become if only he had lived longer". Gershwin was a great composer...period.

Yes, would have been great to have a 12-tone Gershwin opera/musical.

[springrite]

Believe it or not, the first classical piece I heard in concert what on campus (Student Dining Hall) at Beijing University in 1979 was An American in Paris, played by the Central Philharmonic. The second piece was Dvorak Symphony #8.

Then after I came to the States, for a while my favourite Gershwin piece was Cuban Overture.

Now, probably Rhapsody in Blue. But if we can take shorter pieces, it may very well be Summertime.

[Karl Henning]

This, and it's a fun film too.

Oscar Levant is a hoot [ here he is on What's My Line? ].  And every Gene Kelley dance number on film is a gift.  (They're not all great, but no matter.)

[Karl Henning]

I admit, the arrangement of Gershwin's score for the film is my least favorite aspect.  I always feel conflicted when the occasion for an artist's broadest popularity, is a bowdlerization.

[springrite]

Believe it or not, the first classical piece I heard in concert what on campus (Student Dining Hall) at Beijing University in 1979 was An American in Paris, played by the Central Philharmonic.

The smell of Kungpao Chicken with Gershwin. Can't beat that!

[Todd]

Rhapsody in Blue, though in its solo piano version rather than one of the orchestrated versions.

[Karl Henning]

Rhapsody in Blue, though in its solo piano version rather than one of the orchestrated versions.

Aye.  I admit to an arguably quirky fondness for Marcus Roberts's chamber arrangement/adaptation, and for the thoroughly Bobsified version

[kyjo]

I voted for Porgy & Bess since it is a work that I truly love.  However, Gershwin is an important composer for me, and most of his works are some of my favorite listening.  I am a bit surprised that no one has voted for the Concerto in F, it is a very interesting work, and has some great tunes, and is a work where he really tried to stretch himself as a composer.

I'm surprised as well! I really love the PC and almost voted for it. So many great melodies and just a awesome piece overall.

[Lisztianwagner]

Rhapsody in Blue for me.

[madaboutmahler]

Just had to return for this thread! An American Paris for me, with the Catfish Row Suite a very close second. Will be returning to GMG properly soon hopefully.