Bernstein performs Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue 1/2

[boogiemaam]

Was this piece of music played at the beginning of every film I saw when I was a child? I vaguely remember this playing when a movie started and they showed black and white footage of a movie studio, the one that financed the film, before the actual film started. Soooo familiar.

[charles8869]

get the title right

[Kerry1960]

I love it, but the title is wrong. The musicians performed.  Bernstein only directed.

[retrogamerdave]

@Kerry1960 right, because he didn't even get anywhere near that piano.

[fanograss]

not a classical music fan ... but this all seems so familiar ... im thinkin all the rock i heard was written by ppl who no this muz

[gregbboy619]

4: 55 - that's Woody ! welcome back Woody!

[1mikeharr1]

Bernstein had arrogance but when you're that good -so be it. Allowed. All his talents were "as good as it gets."

[fwmalto1]

この人の解釈が一番好きだ

[Valk72]

Aaah it's so agreable to listen...

[usuinami]

love the trumpet solo !!!!

[koreystephens]

Is that Drucker playing clarinet?

[jimicheesecake]

Ok, so. I know you guys are going to hate me. I am not a troll. I love Bernstein. But this is NOT the best version of this piece. It is waaaay to slow. And too much artistic interpretation. (not playing it the way Paul Whiteman orchestrated it.) I suggest trying to find Feidlers version with the Boston Pops. It is probably closest to the true Whiteman score. However dont get me wrong. I love watching Leo bang this one out. Its just not good to me. Sorry.

[Vioxse]

@jimicheesecake I get what you're saying, about the speed (I haven't heard the version you're talking about - I'll look it up soon!) But I think the fact that this is so slow is what gives it its charm... That such a rambunctious piece could sound so.. Serene? Or maybe I'm just spewing nonsense =)

[cmcrombie024]

@jimicheesecake I totally agree. I played cello for An American in Paris for a high school music festival, and I picked up a CD with that, Lullaby for Strings, and Rhapsody in Blue on it, and it's now one of my all-time favorites. Bernstein almost ruined parts of this piece for me by how slow he took it. The recording I favor is by Libor Pesek: Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. I had never heard of Gershwin before, but man, was I missing out.

[tomada36]

I love this stuff. Gershwin was such a genius

[vialaspezia]

che testa bernstein, quando da' l'attacco al clarinetto verso 4.40 e' incredibile

[SoundOfTheShell]

1 Person was looking for Bohemian Rhapsody

[Axotrotl]

I LOVE PART 4:37 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fromatto]

Looks like the Albert Hall. I might even have been there. Central Park in the Dark, Can't remember much else, although at the close of the programme he said, 'we've had a request for something by me' and they played the Candide Ov. as an encore.

[winrx]

By the various personnel within the orchestra, this appears to be from the late 70s - was this from a European tour? At the Proms perhaps?

[uristra]

i think bernstein misses a couple of key notes around 7:30 of part 2 of the video. otherwise, the best performance of rhapsody in blue that i know.

[pianojoseph84]

Bernstein's definitely my favorite interpreter of this incredible music.

[mmbmbmbmb]

That is a GEM!! So glad to have found it :o)

must go now ... and listen to Part II ...

[RuparcsicsAtti]

The best version of Rhapsody in blue on youtube. Great Bernstein!!!

[profdodo1]

Great composer, great showman and great pianist, slated by many but applauded by more and rightly so.

[TotalZukoFan]

3:44 to 3:54 gave my chills :) I love his passion...I hope I can play this the way he does someday. I just got assigned Gershwin's Prelude No. 1 and I'm so excited to sink my teeth into Gershwin! :D

[RomanJackass]

i like the part with the music most!

[naruto10156]

This is by far my most favorite version of this piece!

[rixille]

This is a great and beautiful piece. Also, it reminds me of songs you would hear from Tom and Jerry cartoon show.

[HellFireKane]

I could have used a little more cowbell.

[Gladbeast4]

I respect in the beginning how he does the glissando so quckly. It is the hardest part of the solo, and playing it fast allowed him to move his jaw quickly, giving him a much better sound.

[myprrrecious]

He simply put it as his own, I think thats an achievement all by itself

[mayflyforyou]

Best version i've ever hear of this song! Thank you for uploading! They keep getting rid of it! =(

[bbbiggs]

I LOVE the muted "wah wah" solo parts!

[Christknight1991]

its songs like this that make me glad that i play the piano!!

[beela13]

simply AWESOME!!



[phatmusic]

I cant imagine directing a orchestra AND playing piano! AMAZING!!!

[volltreffer82]

the best version of rapsody in blue ever !!!! thank you so much for this upload

[Ramona6]

I always thought Bernstein was sooo sexy...

[drch1p]

Actually, Berstein's version is sorely lacking and is not the arrangement George intended it to be. If you what the definitive, restored version, as George, himself, intended and played, seek out Kevin Cole's; he is the world's best Gershwin interpreter---bar none! That's right! Google Kevin Cole and then forget the rest. No one can touch him!

[Sergeydgr8]

@drch1p Yeah I was wondering why he cut out a couple parts here...

[groofoot]

Bernstein is a master. Quite simply one of the greatest pianists to have ever lived.

[claynadian]

2:55 the Bass clarinet sounds like a duck! :D

[claynadian]

This makes me want to take up the clarinet again sooo badly

[M6cha]

GO TEAM CLARINET

[1AdrianR]

@M6cha YES!

[ang7751]

Wonderful

[Morgana888]

Listening to Gershwn play brings me to tears, keeps me in awe...SEEING it by Mr. Bernstein merges all. Brava and thank you, Mr. Bernstein! ~ Janet Thompson Deaver

[edynho22fcbrasov]

one person is not a person

[cracklemuffin]

conducting and playing at the same time...the had SKILLS

[expixi]

Giant version, but nothing to do with how Gershwing played his own theme. The author's sound is less symphonic and more jazzy. The tempo is quicker and the chords and piano more stacatto and violent.

[TheQuillmaster]

@expixi But also this is a rhapsody, and Gershwin intended it to be played with different styles and not the strict rhythms he wrote down.

[CICROCKETS]

<3 Stanley Drucker

[sirasy]

esecuzione MOLTO "DISCORSIVA"!

[mrkowloon]

Perfect!!!! United Airlines theme song!!!!! It's time to fly!!

[EmberWolfeh]

This is certainly my favorite version of this. Beautifully done :)

[SchwarzeWitwe2]

@EmberWolfeh It's amazing, but my favorite is Kevin Cole performing with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.

[kedlubajz]

honestly the best version of Rhapsody, every single note is perfect

[funkadunk8]

do you have an mp3 copy of this performance?

[djdashriprock]

@funkadunk8 @funkadunk8 This was performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and is available on iTunes.

[flodobaggins]

To be in that audience... sigh. :-) This is a wonderful rendition. Thanks so much for posting this.

[tropicalpancake56]

Just beautiful...thank you.........

[s071302]

Great Version of "Rhapsody in Blue".