Posted on 07/26/2017 1:34:59 AM PDT by Sontagged
WOW. George Gershwin had some ridiculous fingers.
This is, for the most part, faithful to Gershwin's 2-piano score.
He plays this as a duo with himself (Gershwin actually overdubbed himself playing both parts).
Thanks to Jack Gibbons for the correct information about this recording.
The original manuscript score is in the Library of Congress. The entire Gershwin collection is there. Anyone can see it. LOC also has Gershwin’s piano.
After hearing that tour de force, I won't be able to stomach all those latter-day "draggy, plodding" renditions!
I thought it was played at the faster tempo because he needed to fit the piece on both sides of a 78 (which I’m happy to say I own, by the way).
That stupid airline should be made to cease and desist. This is an American National Treasure and shouldn’t be sullied and overplayed to sell plane tickets.
Many years ago I went to see the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra perform. One of the performances was RIB played by Gershwin himself....on a player piano and he recorded the music onto the piano roll.
Ping to listen later.
Absolutely fabulous! Thanks for posting.
I think the original Gershwin piano rolls of Rhapsody In Blue (of which Gershwin also played the piano) bear out the tempo of this recording; and this is actually a “duet” for one, as I understand it.
Yes, I just mentioned that and I believe Gershwin’s piano roll rendition is on YouTube here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JlXDkkmUdA
Agreed!
They could write back in those days.
Gerswhin, Oh Kay! Overture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSL0KmSj7gM
Gershwin ‘Girl Crazy’ Suite - Harry Ellis Dickson conducts the Boston Pops
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P6mG0UMRh4
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