Rhapsody in Blue

[iim7V7IM7]

I thought this was amazing...

[Larry Pattis]

Impeccable technique and stunning virtuoso musicality.

I love that.

[rmyAddison]

Amazing technique and incredible tone......bravo, bravo, bravo...!~!~!

[RichM752]

Throughly enjoying this.

[charles Tauber]

I'd give him an AAA for even attempting this as a solo guitar piece. Obviously, very technically challenging and he does an admirable job. However, I wouldn't say his technique is "impeccable" or "amazing". As played, I don't think it is well-suited to a single guitar: it loses something important of the character of the original. Granted the original is an entire orchestra.

Just for comparison, here is a guitar duo that I think much better captures the sensibility of the original. (I think the technique is also much cleaner. Granted, it is easier to have cleaner technique if what you are doing is less technically difficult.) Note the greater range of dynamics and timbre, for example. Also, the staccato goes a long way in adding punctuation and variety.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB-j_pvidq4

[Larry Pattis]

Originally Posted by charles Tauber

I'd give him an AAA for even attempting this as a solo guitar piece. Obviously, very technically challenging and he does an admirable job. However, I wouldn't say his technique is "impeccable" or "amazing". As played, I don't think it is well-suited to a single guitar: it loses something important of the character of the original. Granted the original is an entire orchestra.

Just for comparison, here is a guitar duo that I think much better captures the sensibility of the original. (I think the technique is also much cleaner. Granted, it is easier to have cleaner technique if what you are doing is less technically difficult.) Note the greater range of dynamics and timbre, for example. Also, the staccato goes a long way in adding punctuation and variety.

As a guitar player that is also a human being, I am always more interested in the full impact of the music...even if there are some small mistakes along the way.

There is no question that this musician has really great technique, and yes, he also makes some timing and fingering errors that are fully acceptable within the context of what he achieves.

His small errors are, for me, like water flowing downstream...noticeable, but transitory and forgotten as one continues to enjoy each moment of the music.

Not a competition...and I am sure there are plenty of great ways to approach this music. Comparisons are odious.

I truly admire what this fellow has accomplished.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by Larry Pattis

I am always more interested in the full impact of the music....

As am I.

In my opinion, as I stated, the whole of the presentation loses something important of the character of the original. The duo is an example that, in my opinion, better captures the splendour of the original.

I have no problem if others have a different opinion.

[packy]

I think both the solo and the duo are stunning. What a joy!

[cotten]

I've loved Rhapsody in Blue since I was a small child, and have enjoyed it's being performed on a variety of instruments. Originally, it was written for solo piano and jazz band, either of which offers the artist a vastly greater palette of tone colors and techniques with which to achieve them.

Did the full orchestra versions by Ferde Grofé lose some of the original's character? If your criteria is faithfulness to the original, then yes, definitely, though that doesn't mean they were bad, just different.

I find the Kupinski Guitar Duo version wonderfully amazing. They have created great musical expression on this piano & jazz band piece, despite their being limited to a maximum of twelve pitches at any given moment, and those coming from within the confines of two classical guitars. Well done indeed!

Ah, but then take away half of even those relatively meager resources. Can Rhapsody in Blue even be played in a musically pleasing way by a single guitarist, without use of electronic wizardry? Frankly, I wouldn't have thought so. There's just too much going on melodically, harmonically, and rhythmically. The video in the original post certainly proved me wrong! Is it exactly like Gershwin's original score? Of course not, but to me it clearly captures both the themes and mood that old George was striving for. I think he would be surprised and proud - of both of these performances!

cotten

[Earwitness]

The solo made me really appreciate what he could do.

The duet, well, I couldn't turn it off.

[cynthiamyra]

Truly enjoyed the video.

[Dave70]

This guy's version is pretty nice too:

https://youtu.be/nKvBDHY3-xg

[ZippyChip]

I don't think this piece is suitable for solo guitar. I was only able to listen for one minute.

[Dave T]

Originally Posted by Earwitness

The solo made me really appreciate what he could do.

The duet, well, I couldn't turn it off.

Ditto!

Dave

[Kerbie]

However impeccable it may or may not be, I thought it was very impressive and I thoroughly enjoyed listening. I have loved that piece of work since I was young and played it in orchestras. Gershwin is always pleasing to hear!