George Gershwin: An American in Paris (1)

[fakevideocridic]

Last time I remembered, US Citizens weren't allowed to step foot in North Korea.

[nakumora]

Not pictured is a nude kim jong Il dancing nude in front of the audience

[quackmac3000]

in this video : One of the greatest songs ever written, interspersed with some of the most bored Asians in the world.

[videofreakmanic123]

what you dont see is the hidden machine guns in the back

[stardustseeker]

Pause it at 0:54 ... OMG she's already sleeping xD lmfao!!

[lzybm]

You say I raff I ruse?

[gcpropertymanagement]

great music, good video

[LaserBeam002]

the audience looks as bored as I am.

[LoseUrCool]

@LaserBeam002 thank god you told all of us...

[deborabang96]

Oh shut up.

Ignorance isn't appreciated.

[killaXbass]

great song. were playing this as part of a medley in my high school band. its pretty intimidating

[strawberryblonde32]

did anyone else think they had a notification for a split second when they saw the (1) on the tab for this page?

[sergen919]

Maybe this performance will be a proof to those Americans who are brainwashed by their media that North Korea is not a country on the extremes.

[Bojl95]

@sergen919 lolwat

[EnragedSephiroth]

I remember hearing about this on my local station KUSC. Outstanding.

[karomshot]

there is no way they are not moved by this performance they are probably bursting at the seams

[MrD0mm0]

no pressure, but if you mess up YOU WILL BE SHOT

[MrNatwill2]

Ah Gershwin. An American musical genius.

[MusicThatDoesNotSuck]

The What in Where?

[MrAlphaCrucis]

Simply fantastic! Love Gershwin! <3

[Bajedu]

north korea???

[asiankid1285]

im pretty sure thats south korea cuz if the new york philharmonic orchestra went to north korea they would be kept as prisoners

[davidino1411]

Gershwin isn't normal. He was a great genius.

[hlee622]

I remember watching South Korean document about this. They interviewed one of the North Koreans and she actually said she liked this song much bettter than "Arirang" which is a korean traditional song. Because it gave her feeling of very modern, and magical mood. And she said most of other north koreans agreed so. I don't think this was their worst choice. I think this was a brilliant choice which gave the north koreans to make them think that there is a n outside world that is totally different

[KardOfHeart]

Reminds me of the days when cartoons were actually good.

[bewaretheghoul]

Is that Chuck Norris on percussion.....?

[tahitiancookie]

American in Paris in North Korea? What were they thinking? :O That's probably the worst thing to play there.

xD

[albatros777]

@tahitiancookie I imagine that immediately after the performance the crowd rose up and stormed Kim Jong-Il and gave him a wedgie.

[marleyfan008]

I'd be soo nervous.

[MrAndreina1990]

bella come tutta la musica dir Gershwin

[groovehard]

mmmm, Lorin Maazel conducted Pittsburgh's Symphony Orchestra for a time. What a great conductor! cb3815, you really SHOULD update the information about the video to include one of the most prolific directors of our time period!

[scabycat]

Didn't the person who uploaded this consider it important enough to mention who the conductor was? How ignorant can some people be about music. It is LORIN MAAZEL for those genuine classical music enthusiasts by the way

[HappyUke]

IS THIS LIVE ? SOUND WISE?

[nicpell2000]

Porgy and Bess, Rhapsody in Blue, and An American in Paris. Who needs to write symphonies when you're this genius. Thank you so much George Gershwin for sharing your gift of Music!

[gcpropertymanagement]

@nicpell2000 I could not agree more. Having it posted here and for free is great. I send some music to myself for use later at work as background while I do everything. It is handy, right in my email and provides some great music throughout my day. This is why I use You Tube. It is a library for people at work.

[olopcall]

Check Gershwin piano preludes aswell, theyre really good.

[JumpShotDude]

0:57 someone's asleep

[The21426]

The best part is 0:09-7:40!!!

Amazing peice :)...

[sbuckit]

LOL 0:56 the woman on the left looks dead?! Geez don't go if you don't like the music -.-

[piromaniac9999]

This reminds me of something they would put in a 1950's romantic comedy.

In fact:i might have watched the movie this was in.

[Winterstick549]

Bet I could learn to honk them horns ; )

[habibi2834]

this makes me think of the simpsons

[MrMashedpotatoesinc]

I fully charged my i-pod, found this in the random shuffle, and completely drained the battery cause i played it so many times...

[SABAxxKHAN]

what movement is this?

[stackedactor1]

@SABAxxKHAN

Not a movement: someone cut this piece into three parts to make it fit on youtube.

[SABAxxKHAN]

@stackedactor1

oh ok thank you

[plainobase]

this song has a sort of formal of course french feel but a lighthearted and upbeat melody, this song amazes me 

[hop208]

@PoetryMan11 I agree. Their response reflects their culture. Jumping up and screaming bravo and clapping enthusiastically just isn't part of their culture. Keep in mind also what they have been fought to believe about America, would you really want to cheer on the Phil Harmonic of the country that is your enemy? Especially in a country where doing so can have dire consequences. The woman at 4:04 holding back emotions says it all.

[PoetryMan11]

The insults about the North Korean audience's lack of affect to the performance of Gershwin by the New York Philharmonic shows both the ignorance and the stupidity of the commentators more than the North Koreans. The power of music to touch the soul and move the heart is never wasted on any human being. Those who dwelt in darkness have encountered the light of great music performed by a great orchestra. For now that is quite enough.

[perpetualclass]

i wonder what the members of the new york philharmonic were thinking while they were playing

[Martel211996]

the people in the video piss me off. Very hard to impress these Koreans. play this in Carnegie hall and you will have people standing up moving to the rhythm with big smiles!

[the81stviewer]

I will avoid commenting on North Korea. Let's be happy that music is shared everywhere, please, tis a treasure. George Gershwin proves himself a fine composer, and this performance was equally fine. I found much enjoyment listening to such happy music while doing homework. Thank you!

[mobius1aic]

You smile, you die!

[thegoodgeneral]

@mobius1aic I guess Kim Jong-Il cracked a smile last Saturday.

[shujawa]

666 likes! gasp

[Linkage1992]

An amazing performance wasted on the North Koreans.

[a19gregjockca]

soulful music for soulless assholes. giggles!

[oboeizzle]

It is the freedom of expression that America allows that led Gershwin to write his great music.

[sunset261]

Wow. North Koreans are permitted to listen to imperialist American music?

[nburkemdx]

@sunset261 Well since the only place outsiders are permitted is Pyonyang, the capital, these aren't your typical North Koreans. In the DPRK, people are assigned where to live based on their ranking in the country which is determined by their social standing and historical loyalty through their blood line, so the Pyongyang dwellers are only the most devout North Koreans and for this concert they were probably hand picked to attend.

[scottvoltage]

the best piece ever!

[jack60r]

The public is alive or are they wax bodyes?

[fedep1985]

@jack60r ahahahhah!!

[AbsolFox]

@jack60r first off it's bodies*

Second this is North Korea, If their beloved leader doesn't do anything, don't expect them to for fear of their lives.

[luizcadu]

@jack60r they're being watched by the Big Brother!

[stalexmilk]

@jack60r lol wax bodyes? that's embarrassing

[poddypoldi]

@jack60r

I guess they're shocked. But they cannot show that, because whoever moves is going to die. All they probably know are military marches in honor of Kim Jong-il or Kim Il-sung.

[jack60r]

@poddypoldi Probably you right... For me, i'm italian, hot blood, it's umbelivable to stay calm down with a sound like that, playd so well... (sorry 4 my english). Jack.

[MySpring75]

@poddypoldi O shut up please. Say better something about these famous musicians. Thank you

[raspberrybaggio]

Brilliant song...absolutely fu**ing miserable audience ! Smile, you sons of bitches !

[antisadism]

Gasp nostalgia, this is incredibly similar to the opening music a ps1 game I played, Bugs and taz time busters. I guess they must have sampled it.

[Billie1982Jean1]

the tubas mind at 2:26, aaaaa i get to do something yesssssss no more two note patterns over and over, im gonna make it big time and..... ohh the solos over.

[hubbatibba1]

@Billie1982Jean1 lol... true true true, i play the tuba and it can get boring, dont get me wrong, i love my tuba, its just, well we are no trumpet!!

[tophrocks234]

ah...I'm playing this with my orchestra. I play French Horn. The "car horn" sound is so fun to make ^^

And..is it just me or do the North Koreans not know how to react?

[atrain3521]

@tophrocks234 In North Korea you aren't allowed to show emotion in public

[MilesPerSecond39]

@atrain3521 it doesnt matter, asians can't anyways

LOL (jk)

[amichris]

@MilesPerSecond39 : for your information, WE ASIAN SHOW MORE EMOTION THAN YOU DO

[directfader]

LOL 0:55 the girl on the left looks like she's slowly dying

[thunderbladestorm]

The movie version eats this thing alive ... in a heartbeat !!!

[FENNYMAN]

What a load of patronising, USA-centric comments about this superb piece of music.

Enjoy the music without having to post your distasteful supremacist views.

[humbertsin1994]

i love the car horns!!!!

[alexleungfw007]

Lorin Maazel ?

[mmmchocolate12345678]

I LOVE the xylophone! It sounds so cool!

[snorkmaiden24]

If I was to choose a piece to show the north koreans, I would go for something more beautiful and simple like lark ascending. Also the pentatonic scales may sound more pleasing to them. just a thought

[ryonagoya]

I hope U.S Air force band visit Pyongyang next time by their own aircraft.  People in Pyongyang will be surprised to listen to the music , "Festival Variations" composed by Claude Smith. I love the music so much. North Korean people should never fail to have a chance to listen to the music.

[gibsondanny]

0.54 STONER IN RED

[gibsondanny]

If i was at that concert i would be imensely Happy. They Dont look it

[hop208]

@gibsondanny You can kind of tell the position each Korean holds depending of the amount of misery you see on their faces. The happier they look, the higher the position either they or a member of their family holds within the regime. The sadder ones are probably seat fillers and it'll be back to the grindstone the next day. The woman at 3:59 who looks to be suppressing her emotions probably knows sees missing a lot from the outside world.

[hop208]

I love at 6:41

[crazypianoman95]

Chic in the red at 0:54 looks booted!!!

[TheCombatFetus]

Sorry, typing on a phone, accidentally hit enter. That can be your opinion, but that's all. I, as well as I'm guessing everyone else, think this piece is very memorable, and is stuck in my head all the time. Excellent recording too! The principal violin was amazing near the end.

[TheCombatFetus]

@Gargantupimp your first statement is incorrect. That cab n

[Gargantupimp]

They should of played more melodic and likable pieces, anyways this was a real bad choice no great melodies, makes it hard for someone who has never heard classical music to understand the value in this. shuld of done rhapsody in blue.

[stackedactor1]

@Gargantupimp

I'm guessing you didn't click on the other parts. No memorable melodies?

With all due respect, you have no idea what the fuck you are talking about.

[Gargantupimp]

@stackedactor1 yeah no, if i was going to perform music to a audience full of people who may never heard music and may never music again, I wouldnt of chosen this thats for freaking sure

[Gargantupimp]

@stackedactor1 yes no memorable melodies

[ugottheblues]

@Gargantupimp hahahah that is sooooo not true. this entire piece is wayy catchier than rhapsody in blue. the whole thing gets stuck in my head especially all the main themes like at the very beginning of the second part. this first part ends right at the beginning of the most memorable melody ever. listen to the second part and listen to that trumpet playing that melody. you cant say thats not memorable

[Gargantupimp]

@ugottheblues yeah its a very nice work and if i listened to it enough it might even get stuck in my head, but on one listen through this didnt do much for me, not as much as say tannhauser overture, rhapsody in blue, pathetique symphony, you know melodies an average joe could hum to you on the street.I think that if i hadnt been a musician myself and hadnt been listening to classical music for awhile now this piece would of have even less effect on me.

[ugottheblues]

@Gargantupimp idk dude first time i heard it i was going "bum ba bum, bum ba bum, bum ba bum ba bum ba ba bum" all day (that is a reference to the very beginning by the way). i guess i see your point a lil bit tho. rhapsody in blue is a very good and important piece as well

[Gargantupimp]

@ugottheblues and yeah i get the significance here, and how american in paris and were americans in korea, and new world symphony were the new world, and we want to play american music blah blah and all that crap. should of just shown the north koreans music they would of had an easier time understanding

[stackedactor1]

@Gargantupimp

First time I heard this, I remembered three or four themes perfectly (which is more than most composers can accomplish with one piece.) So did apparently most of the other people on here. @ugottheblues is right- that first theme was permanently stamped in memory after one listen.

Really? You don't know what you are talking about.

[barneyonwatch]

fuck the north korean government, they better not fuck up the world by nuking the south

[golfbog1]

those zips dont get it...........

[rafiwel]

Countries like North Korea, where the word "democracy" does not even exist should not be able to enjoy such beautiful perfomance

[stewartnbrown]

looks like Lorin Maazel

[kphzorz]

It would have been cool if they played Rhapsody in Blue for them.

[pgrath1]

North Koreans all know their country is a sham and their society is fake, but no one wants to be the first to say so publicly.

[manhona]

Violins at 5:52 o.O!!

[mrwickwiz23]

Who's this conductor? Reminds me of Bernstein, or is he Bernstein himself?

[purpleandblack10]

@mrwickwiz23

Uh, Berstein died in 1990.

[AlienNoirePomme]

Incredible.

[mozartman2000]

Art cannot make the world go round, but for 7 minutes one would like to believe.

[ellieFrankable2002]

0:55 girl on the left looks like shes falling asleep

[C3P0meetsData]

This is from North Korea????!!!!!

[PizzicatoArco]

uncountable dead face expressions from the audience

[totalglambert]

My orchestra is playing this....we have alot of practice to do...

[ObserversEyes]

First, great performance of a wonderful work of art.

Second, I don't think the NY Philharmonic should have performed in North Korea. For the same reason that the US banned cultural exchanges with Apartheid South Africa, brutal oppression of their own citizens. I don't think I'm stretching things by saying that every N. Korean in that audience is a beneficiary of that oppression.

[ArkyliouS]

3:00 Redheaded Cellist! In the New York Philharmonic! Im in love!

[CRISNCHIPS12398]

Wow, they are actually in North Korea? I would have Kim Jong Il would be totally against an American influence...

[jwstamey]

Perhaps I have been responsible for more than my share of the (at this time) 300,860 views of this marvelous work of art, but I must say it is the most engaging piece of music written in the last 100 years. Europe had the three "B's" - Bach, Beethoven and Brahams. America had the two "G's" - Gershwin and Gottschalk. An American in Paris is the quintessential work of American Art. Period.

[brajamtho757]

@jwstamey I'll take Copland over those guys.

[Chambrette]

Here, it's more "An American in Pyongyang" !

And the "american imperialism" can be beautyful, isn't it?! :D

[bweber2k]

@Chambrette we will never hear this music again in a timely fastion as disney has captured it,

[kowalsky111]

@Chambrette i am sure that they have culture that would be interesting for you to know as well :-)

[dientitas]

Adoro a George Gershwin, desde siempre.

[haiyoung609]

wat did the conductor say in the beginning?

I didnt get it even though I am Korean.

[djypsydjazz]

@bluejacket8994 My thoughts exactly.

[nberlanga]

Beautiful music. Too bad most of the savages in the audience cannot appreciate it.

[DiggerWildwood]

@nberlanga:

What an incredibly shameful and ignorant thing to say.

[pantayoko]

why does the public look so freakingly bored? how brainwashed are they??!!!!!!

[fanofirwin1]

@pantayoko If I remember correctly, I once read that asian audiences have a very different way of sitting through concerts. Much more resigned. You also have to think about the fact that it IS North Korea AND it's not rock music or anything. It's orchestral. Not much to get hype about, despite the upbeat tempo.

[DiggerWildwood]

@pantayoko: What exactly do you want them to do?

In any case, your culture != their culture.

[Stretchypantsmaster]

@pantayoko dude, you serious?

[anapana83]

I wanna see this piece performed live at least once in my lifetime. My absolute fav.

[YourGrannysGranny]

I played this at a Music Summer School, and we played it a little slower than this but all the the same, it sounded brilliant, we played it to a slightly lower standard though. What a beautiful piece of music.

[darrencjc]

Wow, why does the tuba tune its valves while playing at 2:29

[Hotdjuman]

@darrencjc It is to tune slightly his different pistons, as some times, notes may feel rather low or high, especially that damn C.

[Doily131]

@darrencjc Because he's a very intelligent musician...

[josealicea52]

EXCELENTE ....BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!

[AnishProductions]

No matter how you feel the music; Gershwin executes this very inspired and driven American feeling in his music. I absolutely love it! :D

[ItsEmmalicious]

that one girl at 0:56 looks like shes about to fall asleep!

[bat5x]

@ItsEmmalicious Hahaha i saw that too!

[barneyonwatch]

poor north korean's, i would never want to live there

[guinsPen]

Uh-oh, I think the conductor just mistakenly ordered the sinking another South Korean gunboat.

[jimharper10]

Tom Wolfe sometimes referred to "busy city music" I think he meant this. Love it. Can there be any more American composer than Gershwin? Think of what would have happened had he lived.

[cscac]

haha north korea, scary

[butaguchi4]

America FTW!!!!!

[thesexysithguy]

the audience look forced to watch this. Lighten up people.

[James9001]

Way too chaotic for my taste, really

[xyseth]

13 PEOPLE DISLIKED?!?! ARE THEY BRAIN DAMAGED?!?!

[butaguchi4]

@xyseth no its probably b/c this was done in N. Korea

[AstroKoonai]

@xyseth No, they're just nowaday teenagers.

[luizcadu]

The audience at 6:00 is frozen like a picture, as if they're being watched by the Big Brother.

[plop262]

@luizcadu and american audiences are known to be totally hoppin' at formal concerts like this in carnegie.

[aznsongmasta59]

i like how the conductor tries to speak korean in the beginning...FAIL

[heartshapedleaves]

One of the best pieces I've ever played. Tons of fun, and I absolutely adored it! Gershwin is my hero :)