Leonard Bernstein - Gershwin

American Classics.    Leonard Bernstein was among the most important conductors of his time and the first American-born conductor to lead a major American symphony orchestra. He was music director of the New York Philharmonic and conducted the world‘s major orchestras. An accomplished pianist, he often conducted piano concertos from the piano. This is the case with this legendary recording of Gershwin‘s RHAPSODY IN BLUE together with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra. As a composer, he wrote in many styles, including symphonic and orchestral music, ballet, film and theater music, choral works, operas, chamber music and works for the piano. His best-known work is the Broadway musical West Side Story, which continues to be performed regularly around the world and was made into two feature films (1961 and 2021). George Gershwin was one of the preeminent American composers whose compositions span both popular and classical genres. Bernstein conducts his global hit An American In Paris here with the New York Philharmonic. Gershwin was influenced by French composers of the early twentieth century. Maurice Ravel, in turn, was impressed by Gershwin‘s abilities. Genre thinking remained foreign to Gershwin throughout his life. His legacy is both as a jazzman into the classical world, and in classical compositions always not to deny the jazz and blues.

Side B

1. Leonard Bernstein Conducting The New York Philharmonic  An American In Paris