I have this CD, which also contains a jazz band arrangement of the Concerto in F, one of Gershwin's greatest compositions, which was commissioned by Walter Damrosch in 1925. Some critics derided it as a mishmash of inconsistent themes, a sort of musical pastiche, but the first movement is an extraordinarily powerful, atmospheric, evokative piece. I've been a devotee of it since I was 12 years old---56 years ago!
The musical version was done for the Gershwin movie "Rhapsody In Blue" (1945) which featured the vocals to this masterpiece. The dancing was "saucy" the story of Joe & Vi. A love story with jealous undertones and tragic ending. His early attempt at pure composition associated with the Jazzy Blues at that time. One of my favorites, it has so much of New York in it, right down to the way they talk. A lost gem a collaboration with Paul Whiteman gives it such an impact you are drawn to it like a moth to a flame. The movie which stars "Robert Alda" (Father to Alan of M.A.S.H.) Paul Whiteman, Oscar Levant, Alexis Smith, Rosemary DeCamp, & Morris Carnovsky. Singers, Al Jolson, Anne Brown & Hazel Scott (who sparkles playing his songs in English & speaks a little French - ). Featuring 22 of his songs & 5 instrumental excerpts. Find it, an see it if you are true Gershwin fan. Being from NY I truly love this composer, his works, and his work ethic to be the best at his craft. Great upload & Thank You
Una decina di anni fa la versione Inglese è stata da me interamente sottotitolata in Italiano, facendo ricerche su alcune frasi in Slang Newyorkese abbastanza criptiche. Circa 4 anni fa e uscita in DVD anche la versione Italiana. Robert Alda ha poi lavorato in Italia nel film "La Donna piu bella del Mondo" interpretando Il Maestro Doria
How many tears were shed during the premiere performance of the Rhapsody in Blue? A great many i would guess. Walter Damrosch was present and his com.issioning of the Concerto in F followed.
An early musical and vocal piece that definitely presaged "Porgy and Bess". Comparing the orchestration of "Blue Monday" to "Porgy and Bess" is like a thread worn coat to a mink. But they both have lots of swagger and that bluesy brash sweet sound that is immediately recognizable as George Gershwin. A classic in it's own right.
Thanks for posting this early one-act opera by Gershwin. Unless I am mistaken, Paul Whiteman was very impressed with this work and he was convinced that Gershwin could write a concert work in a jazz style. Will spare you the details, but Whiteman's being so impressed is what ultimately led to the creation of "Rhapsody in Blue".
Was not aware of this piece. Lived in Army Hall at CCNY, 135th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Would go across Amsterdam to Lewisohn Stadium evenings in the summer to and listen to Oscar Levant play Concerto in F.
Google translate of Introduction --- Directed in New York (Manhattan Center Studios) in October 1992, it was the first recording by Marin Alsop conducting the Concordia Orchestra and five vocal soloists of the entirety of the small "black opera" in one act entitled Blue Monday, renamed later 135th Street Blues, which George Gershwin composed in 1922 at the dawn of his brilliant career. With its clumsiness, its shortcomings and its naivete, this mini-opera is certainly pale compared to the masterpiece that Porgy and Bess will be thirteen years later. However, Gershwin specialist Eric Lipmann sees in Blue Monday "an exciting attempt to give the lyric theater an original work based on popular expression," a kind of "little model" by Porgy and Bess.
I've always like this; and when I first heard it years ago I couldn't understand why it was so neglected. To my ears it's more cohesive than "Porgy and Bess," whose Broadway numbers stick out like a sore thumb. And I have no idea why someone dismissed the orchestration compared to Porgy. It has perfect orchestration, ideal for the material. Moreover the tuneful arias sound more genuinely operatic than those in Porgy, which, as mentioned above, usually sound like show tunes, except for the Heywood lyric "Summertime," the lament, "My Man's Gone Now," the great Strawberry arioso and other such passages.
Never heard before... I highly appreciate the lead themes and their orchestration but would be happier without human voices. I am afraid they are too much opera-like instead of following a pure blues style. Sorry if others do not agree.
Extremely underrated.
I love this so much… priceless.
I consider this as a masterpiece of music.
An absolute masterpiece of music.
This I did not know. Felt like I was up in the musical attic and discovered a small treasure. Thanks for posting.
Great, immense George. An authentic genius of our times.
I have this CD, which also contains a jazz band arrangement of the Concerto in F, one of Gershwin's greatest compositions, which was commissioned by Walter Damrosch in 1925. Some critics derided it as a mishmash of inconsistent themes, a sort of musical pastiche, but the first movement is an extraordinarily powerful, atmospheric, evokative piece. I've been a devotee of it since I was 12 years old---56 years ago!
What is the cd? I want it!
For the Concerto, I think the most completely successful part is the second movement. Quite lovely, when knit together properly.
i want this without words but i cannot find it
The musical version was done for the Gershwin movie "Rhapsody In Blue" (1945) which featured the vocals to this masterpiece. The dancing was "saucy" the story of Joe & Vi. A love story with jealous undertones and tragic ending. His early attempt at pure composition associated with the Jazzy Blues at that time. One of my favorites, it has so much of New York in it, right down to the way they talk. A lost gem a collaboration with Paul Whiteman gives it such an impact you are drawn to it like a moth to a flame. The movie which stars "Robert Alda" (Father to Alan of M.A.S.H.) Paul Whiteman, Oscar Levant, Alexis Smith, Rosemary DeCamp, & Morris Carnovsky. Singers, Al Jolson, Anne Brown & Hazel Scott (who sparkles playing his songs in English & speaks a little French - ). Featuring 22 of his songs & 5 instrumental excerpts. Find it, an see it if you are true Gershwin fan. Being from NY I truly love this composer, his works, and his work ethic to be the best at his craft. Great upload & Thank You
As his father said in the movie holding his watch.Very important piece
Una decina di anni fa la versione Inglese è stata da me interamente sottotitolata in Italiano, facendo ricerche su alcune frasi in Slang Newyorkese abbastanza criptiche. Circa 4 anni fa e uscita in DVD anche la versione Italiana. Robert Alda ha poi lavorato in Italia nel film "La Donna piu bella del Mondo" interpretando Il Maestro Doria
Awe his father was so proud...
How many tears were shed during the premiere performance of the Rhapsody in Blue? A great many i would guess. Walter Damrosch was present and his com.issioning of the Concerto in F followed.
An early musical and vocal piece that definitely presaged "Porgy and Bess". Comparing the orchestration of "Blue Monday" to "Porgy and Bess" is like a thread worn coat to a mink. But they both have lots of swagger and that bluesy brash sweet sound that is immediately recognizable as George Gershwin. A classic in it's own right.
Ive always thought of this beauty as sort of the Porgy and Bess prototype
Thanks for posting this early one-act opera by Gershwin. Unless I am mistaken, Paul Whiteman was very impressed with this work and he was convinced that Gershwin could write a concert work in a jazz style. Will spare you the details, but Whiteman's being so impressed is what ultimately led to the creation of "Rhapsody in Blue".
Was not aware of this piece. Lived in Army Hall at CCNY, 135th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Would go across Amsterdam to Lewisohn Stadium evenings in the summer to and listen to Oscar Levant play Concerto in F.
FYI This is published as a piano solo. Great fun to play.
Where did you find the sheet music?
G. Gershwin composed this before his very famous Rhapsody in Blue. It’s obviously not as good as Porgy and Bess, but still wonderful.
Google translate of Introduction --- Directed in New York (Manhattan Center Studios) in October 1992, it was the first recording by Marin Alsop conducting the Concordia Orchestra and five vocal soloists of the entirety of the small "black opera" in one act
entitled Blue Monday, renamed later 135th Street Blues, which George Gershwin composed in 1922 at the dawn of his brilliant career. With
its clumsiness, its shortcomings and its naivete, this mini-opera is
certainly pale compared to the masterpiece that Porgy and Bess will be
thirteen years later. However, Gershwin specialist
Eric Lipmann sees in Blue Monday "an exciting attempt to give the lyric
theater an original work based on popular expression," a kind of
"little model" by Porgy and Bess.
12:17 omg omg royalty prince of music pasha god
I've always like this; and when I first heard it years ago I couldn't understand why it was so neglected. To my ears it's more cohesive than "Porgy and Bess," whose Broadway numbers stick out like a sore thumb. And I have no idea why someone dismissed the orchestration compared to Porgy. It has perfect orchestration, ideal for the material. Moreover the tuneful arias sound more genuinely operatic than those in Porgy, which, as mentioned above, usually sound like show tunes, except for the Heywood lyric "Summertime," the lament, "My Man's Gone Now," the great Strawberry arioso and other such passages.
was there ever a recording done of the original cast with whiteman?
From 21:22 pure lyric beauty
21:21
Where can I find the sheet music for piano solo, just like in the beginning of this video? Thanks
Won't be published for quite some time: might want to google "Gershwin Project", you'll find some answers.
@@potrelviewer9536 Thanks, I'll try
@@potrelviewer9536 still haven't found it. I wanted to play this for an exam in March 2023... guess I won't
8:53 13:38
Is this the Vodery or Grofe version? I'm guessing Grofe because the orchestration seems similar to Rhapsody in Blue.
И даже Россия будет в этом видео!
and the chair is nice too
Never heard before... I highly appreciate the lead themes and their orchestration but would be happier without human voices. I am afraid they are too much opera-like instead of following a pure blues style. Sorry if others do not agree.
13:58
14:00