Academy Symphony Orchestra performs Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue

Edward Gardner conducts the Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra for George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with soloist Adrian Brendel.

[jackmorris]

I am 94 years of age and have listened to dozens of interpretations of this magnificent piece of music. This performance by Adrien Brendle is
one of the finest ! Played with such verve! I will play it many times more!

[athriftygoddess]

That clarinet player is having the best day of his goddamn life.

[JPDC]

Wait... it just hit me that these are STUDENTS including the pianist. I was marveling on how young the orchestra looked. Bravo isn't enough.

[jeffreykaufman]

This is by far the greatest piece of American music EVER

[eyarbroughzone]

The kids are putting so much emotion into their playing. It just sounds young played by this orchestra. Full of life and energy. Perfect.

[AlanHope]

The biggest moment in any clarinnetist's life. And he done it rightly.

[gmatthewb]

The three violinists sitting behind the pianist have the most amazing array of expressions as they watch the pianist play...

[aasteban]

I’ve listened to Rhapsody in Blue all my 70 years. I’ve heard numerous renditions from a variety of orchestras and other performers, but I’ve never heard and watched such astounding brilliance exhibited here by the pianist, conductor and those other youthful and talented musicians of the Royal Academy of Music. . . Agreed! The spirit of George Gershwin is alive and well in these talented musicians. BRAVO!

[Cytochromeb]

There are just some musical pieces that move your spirit. This is one of them.

[LinaDesireeDiaz]

Just for the record in longevity: Today it's June the 1st 2020, there is a pandemic going on in the world, it's 22:59 pm and I'm listening to one of the greatest pieces of music ever written by humanity.

[amcalabrese]

This is probably the single greatest piece of American music ever written.

[chardelleblasberg]

I first really noticed Rhapsody in Blue when I was working for United Airlines, and they used it for their commercials. Gershwin’s piece seemed absolutely perfect in marrying the buzz of Manhattan with the exuberance of travel. However, only after seeing this amazing performance with the young peoples’ expressions of determination mixed with joy… only after viewing this (over and over and over) could I really, clearly, and deeply feel the diversity of each instrument, the complexity needed to produce such glorious sound, and the genius of Gershwin. I will NEVER again hear Rhapsody in Blue without remembering the extreme talent Adrian Brendle and all of these young people brought to this triumphant performance. Overwhelming!

[mikeguthrie]

Now, in July of '22, STILL the absolute best rendition of Gershwin's "Rhapsody" I have ever heard! Thank you Royal Academy of Music yet again for your Magnificent work!

[matteoromenghi]

February 12, 2024, 100th anniversary.
Timeless masterpiece.

[alilong]

The orchestra was fabulous, but Adrian Brendle has touched my heart with his brilliant version of Rhapsody in Blue! This, by far, is the best version to me. I watch his hands, and he has given me inspiration to continue playing, even though arthritis & a nicked tendon in my right hand slows me down, but my enthusiasm for his music has grown appreciably. BTW, I m 83 now & wish to play Rhapsody to perfection because of his performance!

[square-dealsam]

Everytime I hear it, Rhapsody in Blue makes me glad I'm alive.

[charleskennedy]

I've been in love with this piece for over 70 years. This is a mighty fine version of it, for sure.

[kaseymoss]

If only the audience really knew how hard it is to get this piece as perfect as this orchestra just did.

[jeffreykaufman]

This IS the greatest piece of American music EVER written

[voiceofjeff]

I am nearly 60 years old and when I heard this rendition, it brought me to tears. This is one of the most beautiful and expressive presentations of this song I think I've ever heard. Absolutely magnificent. Each musician putting a small piece of himself into the music culminated in a work of art. Certainly, this is what music in Heaven sounds like!