Klarinet Archive - Posting 000644.txt from 1997/09

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Rhapsody in Blue
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 17:11:53 -0400

I'm not sure if Ed is referring to the Piano Roll version that came out on
CD with Gershwin's tempos, etc. on the roll (he created the roll) - but if
you are unaware of it, it is a wonderful CD to own. The only thing
missing is that there is no pedaling of any kind - the piano rolls were
unable to control pedals. I do not believe there were any restrictions
regarding timings for the rolls, so Gershwin's tempos seem to be good.
Another excellent recording is the Oscar Levant version that is now
available on CD......he was a personal friend of Gershwin's, and, not
suprisingly, the tempos on the Piano Roll version and the tempos on
Levant's version are remarkably similar.

Roger Garrett

On Fri, 12 Sep 1997, Edwin V. Lacy wrote:

[Regarding Rhapsody in Blue posting]

> I've heard the re-pressings of the original recording, and while it is a
> little faster in some places than we ordinarily hear it today, it isn't
> that much faster. There are some possible cuts in the piece which are
> often taken to reduce the total time required. I don't know whether cuts
> were required or taken in order to make the Whiteman recording fit on the
> disk, but this would seem to be the most likely possibility.

> Ed Lacy