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Binding: Audio CD
Brand: Sony
EAN: 0074646065921
Item Dimensions: 23
Label: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony
MPN: 60659
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: July 28, 1998
Studio: Sony
Disc 1:- Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra on Porgy and Bess
- Three Preludes/1. Allegro Ben Ritmato E Deciso
- Three Preludes/2. Andante
- Three Preludes/3. Allegro Ben Ritmato E Deciso
- I Got Rhythm
- Embraceable You
- Nice Work If You Can Get It
- Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)
- But Not for Me
- Sweet and Low-Down
- Love Is Here to Stay
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential recording:
On Gershwin Fantasy, Joshua Bell's Stradivari embraces the lyrical spirit of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess with more success than most vocalists. Accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra, Bell's violin literally sings through "It Ain't Necessarily So," "Summertime," "I Got Rhythm," and "Love Is Here to Stay," while John Williams (Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List) serves double duty as conductor and pianist on several tracks. Three Preludes employs the violin and piano transcription by Jascha Heifetz, a longtime Gershwin friend, and features Bell at his jazziest. Even Gershwin himself--well, the recording of a 1926 piano roll of the composer--joins the virtuoso on the swinging "Sweet and Low-Down." --Jason Verlinde
Average Rating: 
Rating: -
If you love music and enjoy Gershwin like sounds you just will not be disappointed. Invite someone to join you, light a few candles, pour some wine and wait for good things to come your way.
Rating: -
This Grammy-nominated album "Gershwin Fantasy" by Joshua Bell is my first exposure to his remarkable talent and flair in violin. It is one of the best tribute albums honoring the genius of George Gershwin. I have watched Joshua Bell perform live at the Opening Night for Concert Season at Hollywood a few years back where he shared the spotlight with John Groban. I was in awe and it was great seeing them perform before a live audience. Listening to his recorded performances is such a delight, but seeing him perform live made me appreciate his flawless violin artistry even more.
The eleven tracks were beautifully arranged for violin and orchestra and well-executed by Joshua Bell with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of a fine conductor, John Williams, and with the able support of film composer/arranger Alexander Courage. His performances from the first track to the last are as lovely, silky and soft as the petals of a pink English rose. Should George Gershwin be listening from Heaven above, it would surely bring a big smile on his face.
While all the performances are captivatingly charming, my top favorites include four of Gershwin's gems of gems, "Embraceable You," "Love Is Here To Stay," "But Not For Me" and "Nice Work If You Can Get It." These pieces are well-executed in smooth, fluid, effortless and flawless manner. Each piece is given an exquisitely classical twist that makes it more endearing to the ears of fine music lovers. Listening to these pieces is such a very soothing, relaxing and entrancing musical adventure.
After performing for more than fifteen years and subsequent Grammy awards to add to his name, Joshua Bell has well-established his reputation in the art of music as a performer and recording artist. He is definitely recognized as one of the best and youngest violinists who add beauty and grace to the wonderful world of music. His artistry is marked by endless elegance and timeless appeal.
Listening to this album radiates joy in my heart and exudes serenity in my soul. This album is able to achieve such sentiments to my musical sensibilities. I do hope it does the same to all its listeners.
Here's to the magic of fine music!
* * * * *TEN STARS* * * * *
Rating:  -
I was eager to obtain a copy of Joshua Bell's CD viz The Gershwin Fantasy - as I adore Gershwin and have an enormous respect for Joshua Bell. The
interpretations were dazzling to say the least; sometimes too much so. Great musicianship towers over the melodies and harmonies that make classical music 'popular'. One begins admiring the majestic thrust of Bell's variations but winds up deploring the actual sonority of great music subordinated to excessive blasts of interpretation. There is an old Rogers & Hart song entitled: "Don't Bury The Tune" and it kept recurring to me as I listened to Bell - not precisely 'burying the tune' but gussying it up with so many effusions of musical expertise that one became more aware of the 'variations' than the 'theme' which gave birth to them. Bell's firs CD of violin classics is something of a masterpiece, and what makes it so is fidelity to the notes as the composers wrote them. Ultimately, 'fantasy' is the right noun for this second CD. However these are not 'fantasies', they are precious, workmanlike examples of outstanding American music and deserve to be treated as the gems they are. Polished yes, but not rethreaded into garish costume jewelry.
Charles Marowitz
Rating: -
Great album with top director, London Phil. and Joshua Bell.... and Gershwin played like you never heard before.
Rating:  -
Two of my faves, George Gershwin and Joshual Bell -
Can't beat that!
Also, "Porgy" is a fave opera... so three out of three isn't bad!
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