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Symphonic Jazz - Grofe And Gershwin - Original Paul Whiteman Orchestra Versions
Bridge Records

Symphonic Jazz - Grofe And Gershwin - Original Paul Whiteman Orchestra Versions

$18.99

Details

Composer
GROFE GERSHWIN
Artist
HARMONIE ENSEMBLE/NEW YORK
Format
CD
Label
Bridge Records
Released
Oct 24, 2006
Catalog #
BCD9212
UPC
090404921223

About


Ferde Grofé's arrangements for Paul Whiteman's band constitute a treasure-trove of early- to mid-20th century Americana. Usually we only get to hear his epoch-making original arrangement of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, but here we are treated to the rarely-performed Second Rhapsody, as well as Grofé's own Grand Canyon and Mississippi Suites. The results are both delightful and ear-opening. In this arrangement the Second Rhapsody sounds remarkably light and sassy, and notably less "cinematic" than in its original form (the music began life as a film score). Oddly enough, the small ensemble's smoother dynamic profile gives the piece greater coherence and flow, aided by Lincoln Mayorga's elegant playing and Steven Richman's idiomatic and alert conducting.


The same observations hold true for the Grofé works. If the final "Cloudburst" from the Grand Canyon Suite isn't as obviously overwhelming as it can be when played by a full orchestra, movements such as "On the Trail" gain in terms of sheer charm. Throwing the balance of tone onto the winds and brass rather than the strings produces a far less heavy texture overall, and the music sounds somehow more modern, less dated. It's also great to have the chance to hear the Mississippi Suite once again. It's really a fine piece of descriptive work and it deserves to be popular.


As a bonus, we have Gallodoro's Serenade, a characterful bon-bon offered by Mayorga and the piece's dedicatee, Al Gallodoro himself, something of a living legend. He played clarinet and saxophone in Whiteman's band for several decades and is still going strong well into his 90s. Bridge's sonics are typically terrific, while Richman and the Harmonie Ensemble deserve lots of credit for digging up these arrangements and bringing them back to life with such gusto and polish. More titles are promised, and we can only look forward to them with enthusiasm. [11/8/2006]
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 11 tracks

  1. 1 I. Father of Waters 03:17
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Father of Waters
    Duration
    03:17
    Composer
    Ferde Grofé
    Ensemble
    Harmonie Ensemble New York
    Conductor
    Steven Richman
  2. 2 II. Huckleberry Finn 02:24
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Huckleberry Finn
    Duration
    02:24
    Composer
    Ferde Grofé
    Performer
    Ronald Jannelli
    Ensemble
    Harmonie Ensemble New York
    Conductor
    Steven Richman
  3. 3 III. Old Creole Days 02:39
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Old Creole Days
    Duration
    02:39
    Composer
    Ferde Grofé
    Ensemble
    Harmonie Ensemble New York
    Conductor
    Steven Richman
  4. 4 IV. Mardi Gras 04:58
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Mardi Gras
    Duration
    04:58
    Composer
    Ferde Grofé
    Ensemble
    Harmonie Ensemble New York
    Conductor
    Steven Richman
  5. 5 Rhapsody in Blue (2nd version), "Symphonic" (arr. F. Grofe) 12:22
    Track
    5
    Title
    Rhapsody in Blue (2nd version), "Symphonic" (arr. F. Grofe)
    Duration
    12:22
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Performer
    Lincoln Mayorga
    Ensemble
    Harmonie Ensemble New York
    Conductor
    Steven Richman
  6. 6 Gallodoro's Serenade 05:51
    Track
    6
    Title
    Gallodoro's Serenade
    Duration
    05:51
    Composer
    Ferde Grofé
    Performer
    Al Gallodoro, Lincoln Mayorga
  7. 7 I. Sunrise 05:27
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. Sunrise
    Duration
    05:27
    Composer
    Ferde Grofé
    Ensemble
    Harmonie Ensemble New York
    Conductor
    Steven Richman
  8. 8 II. The Painted Desert 05:35
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. The Painted Desert
    Duration
    05:35
    Composer
    Ferde Grofé
    Ensemble
    Harmonie Ensemble New York
    Conductor
    Steven Richman
  9. 9 III. On the Trail 07:20
    Track
    9
    Title
    III. On the Trail
    Duration
    07:20
    Composer
    Ferde Grofé
    Performer
    Richard Rood, Lincoln Mayorga
    Ensemble
    Harmonie Ensemble New York
    Conductor
    Steven Richman
  10. 10 IV. Sunset 04:36
    Track
    10
    Title
    IV. Sunset
    Duration
    04:36
    Composer
    Ferde Grofé
    Ensemble
    Harmonie Ensemble New York
    Conductor
    Steven Richman
  11. 11 V. Cloudburst 08:24
    Track
    11
    Title
    V. Cloudburst
    Duration
    08:24
    Composer
    Ferde Grofé
    Ensemble
    Harmonie Ensemble New York
    Conductor
    Steven Richman