RCA Living Stereo: Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris (1959&61)

RCA Living Stereo: Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris (1959&61)
Arthur Fiedler, Earl Wild, Boston Pops Orchestra
classical | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 430MB

RCA | SACD | rel.: 2005

Classicstoday:
This is the finest Gershwin disc available, period. The items featuring Earl Wild have never been bettered, particularly the Concerto in F, which is dazzling in its excitement and irresistible panache. Fiedler alone does a splendid job with An American in Paris, and this collection for the first time includes the Cuban Overture, a rip-roaring performance with the Latin percussion front and center. This latest remastering is noticeably brighter than the previous Living Stereo reissue, whether in stereo or SACD, and the added brashness suits both the music and the interpretations. The three-track SACD channel separates the various instrumental choirs quite effectively, but some listeners may find the result artificial. It doesn't matter: You have the choice of how you listen, but if you haven't yet, you simply must listen one way or the other. Priceless.

Tracks
Rhapsody in Blue, for piano & orchestra (orchestrated by F. Grofé)
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by Boston Pops Orchestra
with Pasquale Cardillo, Earl Wild
Conducted by Arthur Fiedler

Concerto in F, for piano & orchestra
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by Boston Pops Orchestra
with Earl Wild
Conducted by Arthur Fiedler

An American in Paris, tone poem for orchestra
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by Boston Pops Orchestra
Conducted by Arthur Fiedler

Variations on "I Got Rhythm" for piano and orchestra (or 2 Pianos)
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by Boston Pops Orchestra
with Earl Wild
Conducted by Arthur Fiedler

Cuban Overture
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by Boston Pops Orchestra
Conducted by Arthur Fiedler

sample & buy: Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris