On the 50th anniversary of this remarkable, exquisite, quintisentially American recording, this is what NPR wrote in tribute:

NPR.org, June 30, 2009 - On June 23rd, 1959, Leonard Bernstein and the Columbia Symphony took their places at the St. George Hotel in Brooklyn, N.Y. and made a landmark recording of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue.' To celebrate the event, Ted Libbey adds the album to our list of 50 essential classical recordings.

Rhapsody In Blue, the first "serious" composition by George Gershwin (1898-1937), is likely to remain his most popular work in any form, more for its prodigious melodic richness rather than for any deeper expressiveness or structural brilliance.

In the hands of another composer, Rhapsody In Blue could easily have turned into a disjointed exercise in symphonically dressed up jazz rhythms, melodic figures and quasi-improvisatory instrumental licks. Instead, Gershwin's uncanny sense of timing, and a gift for memorable melody unparalleled in the 20th century, turned the Rhapsody into an embodiment of the Jazz Age's upbeat lyricism and dance-driven vitality. The roaring Twenties had a soul, and this was it.

The piece was composed in considerable haste, for a concert on February 12th, 1924, organized by jazz bandleader Paul Whiteman. It took place at New York's Aeolian Hall, billed as an "Experiment In Modern Music." The piece was scored for jazz band by Whiteman's arranger, the multitalented Ferde Grofé, and Gershwin himself played the piano solo — though at the time of the premiere he had not yet written it out. Grofé also scored the work's orchestral version.

The Bernstein Swagger

Leonard Bernstein's recording is a disc for the ages. It's American music performed with mid-century flair, a moment never to be recaptured. Bernstein had the feel for Rhapsody In Blue, and he does full justice to the still racy and spontaneous score. His performance of the piano solo has a smoky, sultry jazziness to it, along with a brash exuberance; there is touching tenderness in the lullaby, riveting dynamism in the fast pages. The sound on this "Bernstein Century" CD is spectacular.

"That's no exaggeration, Bernstein played and conducted this work with all the swagger inherent in this piece. Listen to the gorgeously laid-back piano strut at 8:14...it has all the attitude that Gershwin could have possibly wanted. Suddenly, Bernstein at 9:05 jumps out with the urgent variation on this original theme. To put it bluntly, Bernstein can play the hell out of this music.
It's not just that he's technically a wizard at this piece, it's that he TRULY feels the music. Rhapsody in Blue isn't jazz, but isn't quite classical either...it exemplifies the sort of "middle ground" that is more common in pieces nowadays. Listen to Bernstein's rhythms. He does not strictly swing, nor does he strictly plays eigths notes straight. He sticks to a middle ground, throwing in swung eights notes not randomly, but where doing so makes the music more impetuous.

The orchestra? Top-notch. The clarinet soloist at the beginning perfectly shows how much klezmer influence is in this music. Or the violin soloist who comes in at c11 minutes...it's heartwrenching. In fact, at 10:10, the orchestra's theme is so sensuously and lusciously beautiful that it will bring tears to your eyes.

Overall, this piece jumps from mood to mood...and is not subtle. Bernstein gets this, and wears his Romanticism on his sleeve. He rides the mood swings of this piece beautifully. It's a masterpiece performed by a master. And, at a mid-range price like this, how could you refuse?"

Also includes "An American in Paris."

***

No excuses anymore. Now, BuzzFlash will get you any book, DVD, or CD for the retail price plus $5 for shipping and handling! So why give your money to a big corporation, when the book, DVD or CD you were going to buy can benefit building a progressive, populist journalism infrastructure?

Just e-mail BuzzFlash@BuzzFlash.com with what you want, and we will get it for you!

So fight back against FOX every time you purchase a book, DVD or CD from BuzzFlash!

For more progressive premiums to support the progressive news and commentary of BuzzFlash.com, go to The BuzzFlash Progressive Marketplace.