Gershwin: Piano Concerto / Rhapsody in Blue

Jean-Yves Thibaudet performs “jazz band” orchestrations of Rhapsody in Blue, variations on `I Got Rhythm,’ and the Concerto in F live with the Baltimore Symphony and music director Marin Alsop. French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet has long been a champion of Gershwin’s music and has widely performed the Concerto in concert with major symphony orchestras around the world. Now, after more than 40 releases on Decca, Thibaudet turns his attention solely to the works of Gershwin. For this release, Thibaudet has made the daring choice to perform the original “jazz band” arrangements by Ferde Grofé for the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. Rarely heard or recorded, these arrangements create a completely different sound for these well-known and popular works, especially Rhapsody in Blue. Thibaudet is joined by Gershwin fan, American conductor Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for these live recordings. Gershwin is one of the most popular composers and Thibaudet gives a fresh spin and new twist on these familiar, and justly beloved, pieces.

• THIBAUDET JEAN-YVES GERSHWIN: RHAPSODY IN BLUE & PIANO CONC