Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F / Rhapsody in Blue / Cuban

Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F / Rhapsody in Blue / Cuban Overture

Jon Nakamatsu won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1997 and has made several fine recordings since then. This all-Gershwin program is probably his finest. He plays the Piano Concerto with great rhythmic sass, the Charleston always underpinning the melodies. Rather than opt for a showy reading of this or the Rhapsody in Blue, he and conductor Jeff Tyzik emphasize the musicâ€™s sultry quality; the smoke-filled nightclub is there right alongside the concert hall at all times. The clarinet solo that opens the Rhapsody is stunningly evocative. Nakamatsu and the horn player duet with a keen jazz ear, and the solo piano work is songful and elegant. If youâ€™re looking for fireworks, there are plenty in the Concertoâ€™s finale â€“ itâ€™s a thrilling reading. The Cuban Overture, a work so familiar that itâ€™s hard to look forward to, is given a terrific reading here by Tyzik and The Rochester Philharmonic, with the Latin percussion sounding wonderfully at home with the "regular" orchestra. This is a splendid release. --Robert Levine
Country USA
Manufacturer HARMONIA MUNDI
Binding Audio CD
ItemPartNumber HMU807441
ReleaseDate 2007-05-08
UnitCount 1
Format Hybrid SACD - DSD
UPCs 093046744168
EANs 0093046744168

Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F / Rhapsody in Blue / Cuban Overture