GERSHWIN An American in Paris

DSO French Festival included performances of a newly published, completely restored version of An American in Paris, one component of a recent project titled The George and Ira Gershwin Critical Edition.

The initiative is a partnership between Todd Gershwin (great-nephew of brothers George and Ira) and his alma mater, the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

[robertristelhueber]

I think this is the best performance of American in Paris that I've ever listened to! Played with great enthusiasm and artistry by the DSO. Bravo!

[austinmccoy]

This performance is, by far, the best on Youtube. This orchestra is truly outstanding, and captures the essence of George Gershwin and his style in a way that I have yet to hear be beat.

[KittyItaliano]

Probably THE best rendition of this song that I have EVER heard. If I were there in person, I would have cried. Gershwin would have been just as emotionally provoked. I am blown away by this orchestra!

[maccallumpr]

In my life, I've heard the most beautiful music that shook me to my core and brought tears to my eyes. So often. Music is what really rules me and my soul, yet I can't play a single instrument, although I try. Frankly, that was a long time ago that I fired up my Yahama electric grand piano. I feel it more deeply than just about anything. Gershwin, Bernstein, Grofe, Mozart and so many more. Gershwin's "American in Paris" is probably my most favorite. So soulful and sexy as all of Gershwin's music was. Just listen to "Porgy and Bess" sometime. I swear, he must have been a black slave in his previous lifetime to produce such music from his heart. Those minor notes always move me somehow. I don't know where that comes from. "American in Paris'" movie is even better with the exquisite dancing of Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, the incredible little ballerina, who was just a child when the movie was shot. Whenever it's on TV, I drop everything to watch it all over again, for more than two dozen times now. Plus, I'm lucky enough to have the soundtrack on CD that I still listen to regularly. There is something about this piece of music that rocks me. There is nothing more beautiful to me than the sound of violins, violas, brass and piano which Gershwin did so perfectly and like no one else.

[ProjeKtCamus]

For eveyone commenting on the Taxi horns, this is how they are supposed to sound. For decades the wrong pitches were used. This performance uses the pitches as Gershwin intended.

[AlyraMoondancer]

Happy Birthday, George Gershwin! Thank you for all the wonderful music. And thanks to these performers for such a marvelous rendition.

[matteoromenghi]

Classic Gershwin.
Good job, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Leonard Slatkin!

[donaldmccormack]

Thank you for a superb performance and true rendition . I`m sure Gershwin himself would have been proud to hear this .

[chrisfrenchnyc]

EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE!!! Getting this piece right is precisely about understanding how to properly *layer* all those overlapping textures; it's exactly like the sounds of traffic as Gershwin imagined. Knowing how much prominence to give each layer, when to lay into the swing rhythm versus when to cakewalk them straighter, when to gracefully fall from one phrase into another... all incredibly difficult to get right. This is a textbook performance; nothing daring or brash or fierce or innovative, but almost everything exactly as it should be. That trumpet solo at 7:46 is absolutely spot on. Just mean enough without becoming bawdy. VERY well done.

[bryangl]

Not only is it a joy to hear this textually restored version of Gershwin's great score, it's also a special treat to hear the orchestra play the piece so idiomatically ─ far too many performances "straighten" the jazz influenced elements of the score (in many ways it's unfair to single out any of the first desk solos, but the trumpet solo passages in partcular have a wonderful "blues" feel). Then in a time when the city of Detroit is suffering from economic depression, the DSO is revealing itsef to still be one of the great American orchestras (even though this work represents slightly lighter repertoire). Congratuations to all, and thank you.

[federicozimerman]

Tremendous work, it gets better with time. One of the most memorable pieces ever written for an orchestra. Listening to it makes me forget the dreadful times we need to endure nowadays.There is an interesting version on YT by the Cincinnati Orchestra with added measures, longer final.

[joelleson]

As good as it gets. Gershwin would love it.

[ProjeKtCamus]

Bravo. Probably the best performance I've heard. At last we are starting to hear Gershwin's music as he wrote and orchestrated it. I can't wait to hear the Second Rhapsody restored to Gershwin's orchestration.

[samine]

Thank you DSO for giving people around the world access to your performances, I really love your version of Gershwin's An American In Paris, it is conducted and played both cheerfully and passionately <3 congratulations from France :)

[Youngy]

Marking Licks for Auditions, don't mind me, I gotta play these parts on xylo lol:

0:30 - 0:50
2:58 - 3:15
4:54 - 5:27
13:39 - 13:51
16:43 - 16:48
17:22 - 17:30

[QuatreMasques]

Thank you for sharing. Among the top 3 finest interpretations (not to mention flawless executions) of this ingenious tone poem, the best one ever composed by an American, in my view. And I've heard dozens. The unconventional pitches (and unexpected pairings) chosen for the taxi horns were only one of many new approaches taken by this expert and seasoned conductor.

[itssunneh]

My first figure skating competition song !

[paulamrod]

The cars you can forget anyway. I have the memory of the great Motown 60ties R&B in my hears. This conductor has the essence of George. During his rehearsals he obviously taught to the classical group of musicians how to groove.

[mariomoreira]

Bravo and Bravisimo... PERFECT... Divine... Wonderful... Extraordinary George G.... Epic...

[smoothlady]

Whenever I hear this gene kelly comes to mind...