| Site review by Castor August 19, 2012
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Performance: Sonics (S/MC): / |
There is such a bewildering array of recommendable versions of these evergreen works available on CD, and to some extent even on SACD, that any new recording must offer something special to make its mark in such a crowded field. While some combine one or more of the four concertante works heard here with purely orchestral pieces such as the 'Cuban Overture' or 'An American in Paris', this one conveniently collects all Gershwin's works for piano and orchestra onto one well-filled SACD' and it especially gratifying to have the unfairly neglected 'Second Rhapsody' in such a scintillating performance as that given here.
Over a number of years Andrew Litton has recorded one or more of these works both as conductor and /or soloist, so his command of the idiom is definitely on a par with that of other great Gershwin interpreters, for example André Previn and Leonard Bernstein. He successfully communicates his enthusiasm for this music to the fine players of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, and whether in the bluesy slow movement of the 'Concerto in F' (a terrific sleazy trumpet solo from Martin Winter ) or the 'big band' sound of Grofé's arrangement of 'Rhapsody in Blue', the orchestra performs with a panache that matches that of the finest American orchestras. Håkan Nilsen's fabulous clarinet playing also deserves special mention.
Freddy Kempf gives surprisingly thoughtful and delicate performances of the piano parts in these four works. He plays with a precision and style that also marks his incisive performances of Prokofiev - eschewing mere virtuosity for more lasting musical values. Nevertheless the winning exuberance and often improvisatory style of playing that he displays makes each of these performances something quite special.
The 5.0 BIS recording (96kHz/24 bit) made in the fine acoustic of the Grieghalle in Bergen has both warmth and clarity that we have come to expect from this source. Kempf's Steinway piano is realistically balanced with the orchestra, the surround channels adding just the right degree of ambience to the overall sound picture. In spite of the many competing versions and different couplings of these works to choose from, this new BIS recording - judged both on musical and sonic grounds – deserves the highest recommendation so in the words of Ira Gershwin “ Who could ask for anything more?”
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Copyright © 2012 Graham Williams and SA-CD.net
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| Review by Hitters September 22, 2012 (4 of 5 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S): |
What can I add to Castor's impeccable review? It says it all!
Modestly, I just would just say that I gave been hooked by this SACD, listening to it again and again, discovering the many subtleties of these magnificent performances.
I do own a few excellent blue Rhapsodies, but this one has opened my ears up. It reminds me somehow of an oldish recording by MTT which I did not fully understand when it was released 25+ years ago. I was so used to the full symphony orchestra version that the jazz band sounded weird to me so I returned the disc back at Tower Records.
I cannot tell if this new recording is better or if my ears are wiser after these many years but everything clicks together now.
The three works are fascinating, Kempf's interpretation a marvel, the jazzy orchestra is beautiful and the recording extremely natural.
I just ask the readers to forgive the humble condition of this pseudo-review after reading the one by Castor.
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