Gershwin plays and conducts his Second Rhapsody (1931)

[WestVillageCrank]

Thanks, Stackdactor! Since the piece was intended for the movie DELICIOUS ("Rhapsody In Rivets), so you know if the pick-up orchestra were Angelenos? And who had this recording? I mean, had ever surfaced before "now"? I don't recall ever seeing it on vinyl, and they were releasing GG's piano roll performances in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and also the PORGY run-throughs. Again, I would love to know more about this!

[stackedactor1]

@WestVillageCrank If you listen to the score on Youtube (the clip from Delicious is there) the basics were there; mostly the beginning two minutes, a little of the adagio, and the last minute or so. The differences? The biggest is the "Manhattan Rhapsody" starts off first w/ solo cello, violin & piano. There's also a few measures of linking passages not in the final version (or in this version for that matter).& the orchestrations in the movie are slightly different too.

[stackedactor1]

@WestVillageCrank I know that Gershwin made this recording a few months before the premiere with the Boston Symphony and after the movie version was made. Pretty sure this was made in NYC; I know I read he paid for the whole orchestra out of his own pocket. It's interesting as you can see him fleshing out the version from Delicious here. Apparently he added a bunch and then subtracted. He did the same w/ American in Paris, I have the uncut version by the Seattle Symphony

[stackedactor1]

@WestVillageCrank It was a recording he initiated for his own creative process, so he could edit the longer version and work on the orchestrations- Gershwin apparently tinkered with it for awhile. This recording wasn't found until relatively recently.Another good question? Why don't they release his score to Shall We Dance? There's an hour of original Gershwin orchestra stuff the Gershwins are sitting on. Look up "shall we dance hoctor"- amazing stuff not being heard.

[stackedactor1]

Wow, this is amazing. I did a little research and Gershwin made this during composition. He paid for the whole orchestra and played with them to get the feel for the piece. (I think he should have left in more of the piano solos, however.)

It is phenomenal to hear his creative process as he goes from rough draft to completion. (Should have removed the hiss though.)

[WestVillageCrank]

I wrote too soon! Having listened, there a big chunks in this recording that were subsequently removed.

Thanks! Wonderful in so many ways!

[WestVillageCrank]

I would love to know more about this recording! Does the poster know the circumstances under which it was recorded.

I know the piece well, and what is fascinating is this is not the published version. (In the opening bars I noted a couple bars that GG subsequently removed.) Was this, perhaps, a "try out" of the piece for GG's own editing purposes.

There are recordings of PORGY AND BESS for that very purpose.

In any case, thanks!!!

[SteveAndrewLangford]

Grazie mille, como siempre again!

[SteveAndrewLangford]

@SteveAndrewLangford *come siempre

[maxreger100]

Is this a pick-up orchestra--or the Paul Whiteman Band?

Never heard it before.

Grazie Goodmanmusica, come sempre !