Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Gershwin Done Right!
Comment: I love all of the CDs I own that feature Leonard Bernstein as pianist and conductor. Under Mr. Bernstein's baton, the New York Philharmonic delivers a plush version of Mr. Gershwin's two works. I highly recommend this CD to those who love George Gershwin's music.
Customer Rating:
Summary: SIMPLY THE BEST GERSHWIN PERFORMANCE EVER!
Comment: This CD should be in every music lover's collection. I first heard this recording when I was about 8 years old. Although I've heard versions of "Rhapsody In Blue" and "An American In Paris" by many other artists (including a recording of Gerswhin himself playing the piano on "Rhapsody In Blue"), I've never heard another recording that can touch the performances on this album. I'm quite certain Bernstein's interpretation of these pieces surpasses even Gershwin's vision for these pieces, and the musicians interpret Gershwin flawlessly under Bernstein's direction. And, you don't need to listen to an entire piece to hear the difference----just listen to the opening of "Rhapsody In Blue" and the way Bernstein extends the opening clarinet solo until it nearly breaks your heart! Bernstein also plays piano on these pieces, and you'll never hear these beautiful piano scores played better! These recordings are simply stunning. I can't believe they're selling so cheaply!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Rhapsody in Blue an American in Paris
Comment: Enjoy this cd very much,it included my favorite GEORGE GERSHWIN SONG RHAPSODY IN BLUE. The cd was shipped timely and in good condition.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Superb performance of the most moving piece of American classical music
Comment: The feeling is that Bernstein truly 'gets' this music, that its pace, its mood really speak to him, and the orchestra. There is a special vitality to the performance here. But of course the heart of the greatness is the music itself. 'American in Paris' is one of Gershwin's finer pieces but 'Rhapsody in Blue' is the gem of all his non-vocal music, and I believe, the greatest of all 'classical'pieces of American music. It has a lyric intensity and beauty a romantic fire that no other piece of American music I know, can hope to reasonably compare with. Many complain, including Bernstein that it is not truly a single organic developing composition but rather a set of set pieces placed one after the other. Nonetheless there are moments in it so beautiful, that they truly take the person in joy to another world in feeling.
What a genius Gershwin had when he wrote this work.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Gershwin/Bernstein: Rhapsody In Blue and American In Paris
Comment: In my opinion you just can't go wrong with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. I have many of their recordings in addition to many recordings of other orchestras; some great, some not so much...but the New York Phil is cosistently great. This recording is a superb example of Gershwin's writing, thoughtfully reproduced by a fine orchestra. Both the brashness of the pieces and the subtleties are interpreted well by Mr. Bernstein and the orchestra. The soloists are nothing other than excellent. The brass section is easily as strong as the Chicago symphony's famous section, and the strings intonation is superb. The pathos and the humor of both pieces are readily projected by this sensitive orchestra and conductor. I couldn't recommend this recording higher!
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