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Thread: Recommend Some Gershwin

  1. #1
    Member Jerjo's Avatar
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    Recommend Some Gershwin

    I just read an article about George Gershwin and it occurred to me to wonder if there is a more definitive collection than the one Bernstein compilation I have. Anyone have any suggestions?
    I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down.'- Bob Newhart

  2. #2
    Gershwin/Ravel piano concertos on Sony
    Herbie Hancock-Gershwin's World A very interesting take on some Gershwin compositions and songs w/ quest vocalists Joni Mitchell, Kathleen Battle, Stevie Wonder.

    Also check out the Three Preludes. These are some very famous short pieces that have been recorded in a myriad of different configurations.

  3. #3
    Forgot to mention Porgy and Bess by Miles Davis.

  4. #4
    Geriatric Anomaly progeezer's Avatar
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    "An American In Paris" I've always really enjoyed.

    Agree with Reid on both the Herbie and Miles recordings as well.
    "My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician, and to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference"

    President Harry S. Truman

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    Is it just me or would anyone else say that Synergy (Larry Fast) - New York Suite is rather Gershwin inspired ? Nice CD anyway.

  6. #6
    Arturo Toscanini's recording of An American In Paris. Also Gershwin's own piano recordings of his own music.
    "and what music unites, man should not take apart"-Helmut Koellen

  7. #7
    Today's birthday boy (Happy 64th!) singing Gershwin:


    "Wouldn't it be odd, if there really was a God, and he looked down on Earth and saw what we've done to her?" -- Adrian Belew ('Men In Helicopters')

  8. #8
    Always enjoyed the soundtrack to Woody Allen's "Manhattan". All Gershwin. My favorite version of "Rhapsody In Blue".

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    The first time I heard Rhapsody in Blue it had Oscar Levant on piano. I don't remember what orchestra played it but to me that is the definitive version.

  10. #10
    Can't go wrong with Bernstein, but this Fiedler disc is what I pick most often for a Gershwin fix:

    http://www.amazon.com/Gershwin-Rhaps...+concerto+in+f

  11. #11
    Member rickawakeman's Avatar
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    Here's a nice medley I'll be singing with my chorus, Makhela, on Sunday at Amherst College.


    http://www.penders.com/product_info....ts_id=23978151

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    Kathleen Battle does the best Summertime in my opinion. So there are two recommendations for you. KB-Summertime, and as I mentioned above, Oscar Levant-RiB.

  13. #13
    Highly Evolved Orangutan JKL2000's Avatar
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    The Gershwin: Salami, turkey, corned beef, cole slaw, swiss cheese, russian dressing on pumpernickel.

  14. #14
    Here are a few I consider essential:

    Jazz Gershwin on Columbia Records - dirt cheap on Amazon

    Gershwin Rhapsodies - CBS Masterworks w/Michael Tilson Thomas; after Levant, one of my favorites; also dirt cheap on Amazon

    Complete Gershwin - St Louis Symphony w/Leonard Slatkin conducting - 2 disc of his symphonic work; released on VoxBox; last time I checked was very cheap on Amazon as well

    The Living Stereo release is also quite good; later tonight I'll be headphoning Steinberg/Pittsburgh Symphony version of American in Paris (vintage recording on the Everest label).

    Check out the American in Paris blu-ray - yes, the title track is a stunning visualization from Gene Kelly but seeing Levant in action on Concerto in F is jaw dropping.

    Peter

  15. #15
    Herbie Hancock-Gershwin's World A very interesting take on some Gershwin compositions and songs w/ quest vocalists Joni Mitchell, Kathleen Battle, Stevie Wonder.
    Mitchell and Wonder

    This recording also includes Corea, Garrett, Carter, Shorter, plus a host of others. And if you like his covers of Gershwin, check out Hancock's New Standards. He brought this show and his trio (w/Holland and DeJohnette) to the Caravan of Dreams in Ft. Worth, TX in 1995. His performance was far from standard!

  16. #16
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    I used to play this often when it was released 20+ years ago and I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but , Dave Gruisin's The Gershwin Connection is really a treat. It shows that DG is quite a piano player. Very enjoyable and quite different than what I usually listen to.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Reid View Post
    Herbie Hancock-Gershwin's World A very interesting take on some Gershwin compositions and songs w/ quest vocalists Joni Mitchell, Kathleen Battle, Stevie Wonder.
    Another vote for the Hancock release - this is a great listen.

  18. #18
    Member Oreb's Avatar
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    Ella Fitzgerald's complete Gershwin Songbook.

    Forget the newbies and classical cross-overs - this is the Holy Grail.

    Does it matter that this waste of time is what makes a life for you?

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