Gershwin's Galligaskins

[Karl Henning]

I believe that his songs are his true masterpieces. Too many to name but "The Man I Love" "How Long has this been Going On," "Someone to Watch Over Me" are among my favorites. My dad was a TV and film composer and his absolute music is way too Gershwin-influenced (he used to say mine was too Copland influenced. ..), so I have daddy issues when it comes to GW. But without a doubt I can state that "An American in Paris" is my all-time Gershwin symphonic fav. Rhapsody......too many blues conventions. Cuban Overture is great. I need to re-listen to it. My sacreligeous opinion is that as he distanced himself from the blues, his music became more beautiful and exciting.

Interesting perspective(s), thanks!

[San Antone]

The Three Preludes have been a favorite of mine.  The original solo piano is probably how I usually prefer to hear them played, but there have been many arrangements, the clarinet arrangements are very nice.

An all round great recording with the preludes arranged for clarinet and chamber orchestra:

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For me, Porgy & Bess is his masterpiece.  For years the Rattle recording was the one I went to, but here lately I've been enjoying Harnoncourt's.  For something non-operatic from out the thousands of jazz interpretations, the nearly complete version with Mel Torme is well worth the investment in time.

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[Karl Henning]

Pulled the trigger on this:

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[San Antone]

Pulled the trigger on this:

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A very good recording, which I have enjoyed for a long time. 



I am about to buy this, the only DVD of a live stage production

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Looks to be very good.

[Jubal Slate]

I am about to buy this, the only DVD of a live stage production

Wow, that surprises me.

[Karl Henning]

I am thinking of this one, which is a studio recreation of the 1986-87 Glyndebourne Festival Opera production (I'm a Trevor Nunn fan):

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[San Antone]

I am thinking of this one, which is a studio recreation of the 1986-87 Glyndebourne Festival Opera production (I'm a Trevor Nunn fan):

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Right, done in a studio; not a true theater production performance.

I searched the Met and there is no production there.  Which is a shame: the most important America opera company should really have a repertory production of the greatest American opera.

[Jubal Slate]

"Not to dismiss Gershwin, but Gershwin is the chip; Ellington was the block." ―Joni Mitchell

[Karl Henning]

For me, Porgy & Bess is his masterpiece.  For years the Rattle recording was the one I went to, but here lately I've been enjoying Harnoncourt's.  For something non-operatic from out the thousands of jazz interpretations, the nearly complete version with Mel Torme is well worth the investment in time.

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I've meant to check this out for quite a while, and this month is the time.  I'm almost done watching for the first time the Trevor Nunn production, which uses the Rattle as its soundtrack, and the music is magnificent (the cinematography and staging are magnificent, too—I meant no signification there  )  Fully agree that this is the masterpiece, which perforce underscores the catastrophe of the composer's early death.

[San Antone]

For sure his death at 37 is a huge loss; his composing just got better and better and future works would have been something to experience.

I received but have not viewed the San Francisco Opera DVD of Porgy.  But plan to do so this week.  Be interested in your thoughts about the jazz version; don't let Mel Torme scare you off       he was actually a very good jazz singer.

[Karl Henning]

For sure his death at 37 is a huge loss; his composing just got better and better and future works would have been something to experience.

I received but have not viewed the San Francisco Opera DVD of Porgy.  But plan to do so this week.  Be interested in your thoughts about the jazz version; don't let Mel Torme scare you off       he was actually a very good jazz singer.

I've pulled the trigger on that one.  Will report!  (And my brother's favorite version of "Mountain Greenery" is by Mel Tormé  )

[vandermolen]

Coincidentally just bought this:
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I especially like the Variations on I got Rhythm.

[Karl Henning]

I am thinking of this one, which is a studio recreation of the 1986-87 Glyndebourne Festival Opera production (I'm a Trevor Nunn fan):

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Well, I've watched it, and so this was my first absorption of the opera in its entirety.  What a magnificent piece!

[Karl Henning]

Pulled the trigger on this:

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I've started to listen to this one, it is no reflection on its merits that I took the easy route of watching the DVD straight through, first 

[(poco) Sforzando]

I would reply to this thread if I had the faintest idea how "galligaskins" is a suitable reflection on Gershwin.

[Brian]

An upcoming critical edition of "American in Paris" argues that the taxi cab horns in the piece have been tuned incorrectly for 70 years. Scholars are suggesting that evidence from the score has been misinterpreted, and the horns were supposed to be even more dissonant (and a bit cartoony). There is a YouTube clip in the article demonstrating how the horns sounded in a recording supervised by Gershwin himself.

[EigenUser]

An upcoming critical edition of "American in Paris" argues that the taxi cab horns in the piece have been tuned incorrectly for 70 years. Scholars are suggesting that evidence from the score has been misinterpreted, and the horns were supposed to be even more dissonant (and a bit cartoony). There is a YouTube clip in the article demonstrating how the horns sounded in a recording supervised by Gershwin himself.

This is very interesting, if not hilarious. I played this before in orchestra in college.

Sounds like a case for the guy who started this thread!

[Karl Henning]

Dig it, cat!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[San Antone]

I bought all of the Nonesuch Gershwin albums when they appeared:





(there are 5 I think, I have them all), and think it a pity that this series were terminated!

Your image does not display for me, but are you talking about the Broadway shows?   I also bought them all but haven't kept up with the series in a whle.  Sorry to hear of its demise.



Thread duty:

The best Rhapsody in Blue for my money is this one done with the original jazz band version by Ferde Grofe, and very well done, too.

Gershwin By Grofe: Original Orchestrations & Arrangements

[Brian]

Your image does not display for me, but are you talking about the Broadway shows?   I also bought them all but haven't kept up with the series in a whle.  Sorry to hear of its demise.



Thread duty:

The best Rhapsody in Blue for my money is this one done with the original jazz band version by Ferde Grofe, and very well done, too.

Gershwin By Grofe: Original Orchestrations & Arrangements

100% agree. My favorite Gershwin CD ever, one of my favorite anything CDs ever.