Re: George Gershwin
By Craig Brougher
Robbie Rhodes has it about right concerning George Gershwin's actual playing, from what I have learned over the years. George loved to play piano and was a very good pianist, too. His one failing was nuance and expression, in my opinion. Although he performed his Rhapsody in Blue with the orchestra, he preferred the way his friend Oscar Levant played it, and said so. Something to the effect, "That's the way I'd play it too, if I could." He also said that Oscar played it the way he himself was hearing it in his own mind while he performed it. At any rate, it was a wonderful compliment. I have never heard Artis Wodehouse' CD, but it was explained to me how it had been "doctored" so I can imagine that while it would still be entertaining, it could not possibly be considered authentic of a Duo-Art, nor the playing of George Gershwin.
Despite these technical flaws, I have been told that it is still esthetically pretty music as long as you do not expect it to live up to the claims on the cover. (I like to call this kind "Chewing gum for the ears"). I am also told that Artis Wodehouse was given a government grant to research this music. Of this I am not certain.
Craig.
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(Message sent Thu 17 Oct 1996, 13:55:21 GMT, from time zone GMT.) |
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