Gershwin by Grofe | Harmonia Mundi HMU907492

Gershwin by Grofe

Label: Harmonia Mundi

Cat No: HMU907492

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 1

Release Date: 29th March 2010

Contents

Artists

Lincoln Mayorga (piano)
Al Gallodoro (alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet)
Harmonie Ensemble New York

Conductor

Steven Richman

Works

Gershwin, George

Fascinatin' Rhythm (6)
I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise
I Got Rhythm Variations
Porgy and Bess
» Summertime
Rhapsody in Blue
Somebody Loves Me
That Certain Feeling
The man I love
Tip-Toes
» Sweet and Low-Down
Yankee Doodle Blues

Artists

Lincoln Mayorga (piano)
Al Gallodoro (alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet)
Harmonie Ensemble New York

Conductor

Steven Richman

About

In this swinging set of ‘symphonic jazz’, Steve Richman and the Harmonie Ensemble/New York recreate the original orchestrations made by Ferde Grofé for the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. The programme features Gershwin’s immortal Rhapsody in Blue (with soloist Lincoln Mayorga and legendary reedman Al Gallodoro), the I Got Rhythm Variations, and a selection of George’s Broadway tunes, including Summertime in a beautiful reading by Al and Lincoln. Not to be missed is the acoustic (!) version of The Yankee Doodle Blues which the Harmonie Ensemble/New York recorded on a wax cylinder using a 1909 Edison Fireside phonograph.

We are delighted to have with us on this recording the legendary alto saxophone / clarinet / bass clarinet virtuoso Al Gallodoro. Featured soloist with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra from 1936 to 1965, Al Gallodoro was known as the ‘King of the Saxophone’; indeed, no less an authority than bandleader Jimmy Dorsey hailed him as ‘the best saxophone player who ever lived’. Born in Chicago, Al Gallodoro spent his childhood years in New Orleans. Based in New York City for much of a career that spanned an unbelievable nine decades, he performed with, among many others, the Isham Jones Orchestra, the Rudy Vallee Orchestra, and the NBC Symphony under Arturo Toscanini. He also appeared as soloist in the movies Rhapsody in Blue and Strike up the Band.

Al Gallodoro showed another side of his musicianship in a classic recording of the Brahms Clarinet Quintet. Sadly, he passed away on 4 October 2008, ninety-five years young, active till the end, performing jazz in his hometown of Oneonta, New York, and throughout New England. The last of a golden-age generation of music-making, he was one of the true greats as an artist and as a man. We trust that this recording will help perpetuate his timeless legacy.

Contents:
- Rhapsody in Blue (original 'jazz band' 1924 version made by Grofé from the piano part as Gershwin composed)
- I got Rhythm Variations for Piano & Orchestra (original orchestration)
- Yankee Doodle Blues (two versions, the second on a 1909 Edison Fireside phonograph using a wax cylinder and acoustic horn!)
- The Man I Love (1st recording of this arrangement)
- That Certain Feeling
- Somebody Loves Me
- Sweet and Low-down
- I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise
- Fascinating Rhythm
- Summertime

Richman’s spot-on sense of pacing, balance and emphasis guarantee that every Grofé-conjured utterance receives discerning and shapely animation. The ensemble and solo playing likely would bowl over both the composer and Whiteman.” - Gramophone

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