Larry Adler - Rhapsody in Blue

L.A. playing Rhapsody in Blue

[@followeroftheway8454]

My father Fred whom died yesterday of lung Cancer. Loved playing Harmonica. He even came third in the all British Championships in the 1950's. He met Larry Adler too. I played this on this Weds gone to him at his bedside, the last day he was alive, while he was unconcious in hospital, as this was one of his favourites. Thank you for sharing this post so I could do that.

[@abrahaopsi]

🌹😞🇧🇷

[@johnny0468]

they say the last thing that goes is your hearing ,im sure Fred loved hearing this beautiful performance by L.D , i went through a similar experience with my dad and cancer , im sure they both went on there way much happier hearing music and familiar voices xx

[@lisadavis2009]

Larry was a lifelong family friend. This exact piece was playing in my Mother's ears the moment she passed away. He led a very interesting life and the Glory of Gershwin Album is truly one of my favorites and I wish more people knew about it. He had so many talents aside from music. A major comedian and character as well. His letters are priceless.

[@tonytroughton-smith5465]

Lisa, I don't suppose you know the key of the harmonica Adler used to play this? Or indeed if he used mouth-organs in various keys of preferred to stick to just one?

[@johnny0468]

wow thats an amazing story ,its a beautiful piece of playing to pass away to it must have been a lovely passing .xx im hoping for acker bilk stranger on the shore when my time comes x

[@ohioalphornmusicalsawman2474]

@@tonytroughton-smith5465 I would like to know that as well. Rhapsody in Blue is really difficult to play on my 12 Hole Chromatic in C!!

[@davrothelegend]

Revisionist History - Malcolm Gladwell, brought me here.

[@luedwig5255]

davrothelegend let me 2nd that! Well met, tennis with Charlie anyone? Lol

[@RyanSzrama]

Same. : D

[@SLiCkJo]

Same here boys and girls!

[@kylespychalski9730]

Yeah me too

[@evilferris]

Kyle Spychalski same

[@garybrockwell2031]

The movie "St Martin's lane" 1938, Vivian Leigh, Charles Laughton, and Larry Addler brought me here.. Fantastic playing , what great breathing playing 💯🇬🇧💪✌️

[@kajalchakraborty7654]

Awesome.

[@margaretdickinson8471]

He once played Grassington, a tiny village in the Yorkshire Dales. His was quoted in the local Craven Herald newspaper as saying "I've always wanted to play Grassington." Brilliant.

[@RattleheadUK]

Genius. I was honoured to see him perform shortly before he passed away. We will never see his like again.

[@SamJT26]

Just found this after listening to Glory of Gershwin, George Martin album. Amazing Larry gets such a rich and vast rage of notes on such s small instrument. Perfect.

[@davidthomson8866]

Larry you are and always will be the greatest harmonica player of all time

[@johnhix9678]

Malcolm gladwell site also sent me here. Fantastic!!!!

[@williamott4429]

The Greatest of all time…B.

[@claudwood6219]

This is one of my favorite ARTIST LARRY ADLER...CONCERT HARP MASTER BLASTER ...SWEET

[@loureed3251]

Blows your mind brilliant

[@williamcran7950]

Awesome, he is split octaving at one point am totally in awe of his playing!!

[@dijoracing]

Thank you for posting this....who ever thought that a harmonica player would honor Gershwin with the mastering of his instrument and the interpretation of his music...Bravo

[@hennihabeck8502]

Adler honors Gershwin! Love it, very special

[@Zungenreiter]

Larry Adler ist ohne Zweifel ein unglaublich virtuoser Mundharmonikaspieler.

[@johnlaccohee-joslin4477]

Truly the best every harmonica player ever, i heard him right through my childhood and into adult life, he never ever stopped making me wonder how you can get so much music out of such a small instrument, even Up against a whole orchestra, wonderful.

[@Tocsin-Bang]

To my mind this should be regarded as the definitive performance! Absolute mastery!

[@anthonywilliams6764]

anthony williams 20 minutes ago In 1967 I visited a friend who lived in Esher, a suburb of London, in my old three wheeled vintage Morgan sports car, which had a canvas roof, and was open on sunny days as it was on this particular day. I had arranged to meet in a pub in the area, and at lunchtime, I drove there, with a guitar which I played in the style of Django Reinhardt, the famous French Gypsy , and I carried the guitar to the pub under my arm, and as I entered the vestibule, two very smart gentlemen were leaving the pub, and we bumped into each other in consequence. One of these gentlemen noticed my guitar, and asked me what sort of music I played on it, and I told him about the great gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, who was my hero in music. The Gentleman pulled a harmonica from his breast pocket, and told me that he had played with Django Reinhardt in Paris , France , in 1938. Suffice to say, we ended up playing several choruses of the song : " Sweet Georgia Brown " together, and of course I do not need to tell you who the Gentleman was , his name was Larry Adler, probably the greatest harmonica player ever in the whole world. Lucky Me.

[@hermenegildomendes3605]

What can I say? You are truly a fortunate person to have been able to play with the master. An experience that few can boast.

[@Albatross-365]

Genius, both him and Gershwin. First came across Larry Adler through his score for Genevieve

[@MrNarcisus]

Adler, o Mestre! Excepcional performance.

[@carlocroccolo771]

HARMONICANDO thanks for this rare and beautiful album ... I'm ninety years old and I listened to Larry Adler many years ago .... Thank you for giving me the happiness to hear it again .... Thank you again ...... !!!! !!!

[@HermenegildoMendes]

My dear Carlo, I am an admirer of the "maestro", so for me it is a pleasure to share what I have of him. You were privileged to have heard him on live. Salute!

[@carlocroccolo771]

Salute e Grazie a te Hermenegildo mendes ....Thanks for this beautiful Sharjng.....!!!!!!!!!

[@HermenegildoMendes]

Salute Carlo, mi sembra, per il tuo nome, tu sei di origine italiana, vero?

[@carlocroccolo771]

Yes I'm Italo-Canadian.....90 Years old.......!!!!!!

[@HermenegildoMendes]

Hi Carlo, I'm glad to meet you, I'm a Portuguese harmonica player, and I'm almost 80 years old, Best regards, Gildo

[@Harmonicando]

The harmonicas of Larry, were made ​​by Hohner, following strict instructions of Larry (especially with regard to the thickness of the reeds. This is told by people lived with him closely.

[@monitor4208]

Found one in the cellar today, shining like new, belonged to my father in law.

[@idorichardson]

larry adler was simpley legendary. he put the harmonica in it's rightful place, at the center of the orchestra. as a harmonica player it is sad for me to see that today the harmonica is mainly used as a secondary instrument of some artists who are also singing and playing a guitar at the same time... because of those artists, people don't realise that a harmonica is an instrument that could play anything, from Beethoven and bach to eric clapton and coldplay.. too bad it's so hard to find high quality videos of larry.. RIP.

[@tylerbrandon460]

And it can imitate trains,fox hunts, cackling hens, prayer calls.

[@stevennachman1684]

I had heard of Mr Adler from my wife who is related to him but never have had the pleasure of hearing him til now. He was magnificent. Thank you for posting.

[@HermenegildoMendes]

It's a pleasure for me, thanks for comment.

[@Hoxton66]

He came and visited the church in pentonville prison when I was doing time in the 90s it made my day that day I'm 54 now and still remember him he made us laugh too with a lot of story's. Nice man he was.

[@johnny0468]

i was a clarinetist as a child so this piece played on a harp is even more impressive x ...

[@markgerrard383]

Wow.... just wow!!!

[@lediabolique5822]

This is one of my favourite pieces of classical music and this version by the great Larry Adler just gives it a completely new dimension.

[@JingleJangle73]

数あるクラシック・ハーモニカ奏者の中でも、アドラーの演奏は特にエモーショナルで素敵です。彼は歴史的なマエストロであると同時に、超一流のエンターティナーでもあるのを強く感じました。それにしても、この曲は正にアドラーの為に書かれた曲と言っても過言ではないほど、彼にジャスト・フィットしていますね！

[@Harmonicando]

@dijoracing Several interpreters performed or perform in harmonica, this magnificent composition, but Larry Adler was the first (and only harmonica player), who had the privilege of being rehearsed and accompanied by the composer of this work - Georges Gershwin. Thanks for the comment.

[@user-uy5kr8sz1n]

I am not sure if there will ever be someone this good at harmonica again. We have video so hopefully there will be someone who comes close.

[@garypautard1069]

I once saw an interview with Larry talking about his young life , and where he lived there were Harmonica Bands and he was lucky enough to join one of them. Playing Harmonica was to be his life long joy.

[@dijoracing]

Thank you Harmonicando for the information. I have just ordered the CD, The Glory of Gershwin. I am a classically trained pianist so great music and great musicians are my thing. I am so glad to see so many enthusiasts listening to these postings. Makes me feel there is still hope.

[@peterdarnell6090]

Was there ? No end to this mans talent

[@paulbowyer9834]

Shivers Larry your a genius wish you were here today

[@hipocampelofantocame]

Hearing Mr. Adler many years ago got me to start playing the harmonica. He was one of my many gods.

[@Harmonicando]

The ONLY. Thanks for comment.

[@HermenegildoMendes]

The "Maestro". Thanks for comment

[@greghobson8030]

Larry Adler wrote an autobiography and gave it the brilliant title of "Me and My Big Mouth." In it, not only does he provide a fascinating account of his professional and artistic experiences, he is quite candid about his personal life. The little guy was married a bunch of times. Among his wives and/or lovers was Maya Angelou.

[@HermenegildoMendes]

I am a fervent admirer of the "maestro", but ... I also know that under his apparent modesty he hid an ego with the size of this world, lol

[@esmeephillips5888]

But a few years after it was published, he said he hated it because it was ghostwritten by someone who failed to capture his tone of voice. Adler did not repudiate the factual information in it, but one must beware- like most raconteurs he was something of a fabulist. For example, he clamed that he met George Gershwin at a society party in 1934 and they performed the Rhapsody spontaneously from memory, working so well together that George Gershwin said "You make the god-damned thing sound like I wrote it for you!". Maybe, but Larry would have been about 20 at the time and was not at all well known.

[@p1ranesi]

@@esmeephillips5888 He may have been 20, but he was already a professional in 1934. For example, in that same year he appeared in the film Many Happy Returns, so there's no reason to doubt his meeting with Gershwin on that basis. The fact that Adler was a world-class bullshitter is a better reason.

[@ohioalphornmusicalsawman2474]

Beyond amazing!!! Larry Adler was one of the greatest Harmonicists ever😁

[@bobbyjago]

Saw him as a kid maybe 10 years old London 1953 Amazing will never forget

[@Hoxton66]

He came I the prison I was in as a visit to the church pentonville prison in the 90s he was good nice man I'm 54 now

[@bmleslie9169]

I‘m goose pumped！Amazing！

[@wiseOldeOwl]

In the 60's Mr. Adler made regular appearances at the Baltimore Playboy Club. It was my pleasure and amazement to listen to him night after night... show after show. year after year.

[@Harmonicando]

He's alive in our hearts.

[@davidjohnbonnett]

Incredible.

[@joseosmirfiorelli2527]

Amazing! Thank you!

[@FlanaFugue]

Can't site where this is from, but there's a story that Gerschwin heard Adler's version of Rhapsody in Blue and commented: "I didn't realize I had written it for chromatic harmonica!"

[@Richardgwilliams]

Mr Adler changed my life an music!

[@a.jcresswell9980]

Not only was he an amazing mouth organ player, he had an amazing life. Try to catch Malcolm Gladwell's blog about Larry Adler. Astonishing!

[@michaelfirth1075]

This man was a master.

[@davidthomas5718]

#LarryAdler with full orchestra playing his signature #GeorgeGershwin piece #RhapsodyInBlue Sure, the clip is a bit dated but the essence of the man and the sheer brute effort it takes to give your all to such a challenging performance survives. Joyous! 😍🙋

[@trafikuty]

It is so sad that there is almost nothing about the great larry adler on youtube

[@christinasmolarek3973]

Me too! And I'm so glad he did

[@luisrodriguez8167]

fenomenal

[@fontmaven]

He elevates that modest harmonica to such a level that it's hard to believe that's the same instrument Bob Dylan and Neil Young try to use. . .

[@faris110]

Actually its a different kind of harmonica. Larry Adler uses chromatic harmonica. Bob Dylan and Neil Young use diatonic harmonica. Very different instruments.

[@srrlIdl]

Because it isn't? The Chromatic harmonica is different from the diatonic, like a alto and tenor saxophone are not the same or a banjo and a mandoline.

[@Turt3752]

surrealIdeal that doesn't mean a diatonic can't be used for the same stuff - see Howard Levy.

[@shady596x4]

Becky Page bob dylan can play the harp just as well.

[@tylerbrandon460]

Bob and Neil were garbage at Harp. And with overblows and bends a diatonic harmonica can be played chromatically.

[@jaideepmookherjee8730]

Celestial!

[@williamott4429]

Larry A…The greatest Harmonica magician of all time!…B.

[@englishwithrey746]

💙💜💙💜💓 Great performance

[@angelbautistalopez5169]

Es un fenomenooooo

[@mauricehigney4024]

legend

[@Holliethedog]

This is so good.

[@agriciobrazil2391]

Wonderful interpretation! Congrat's!

[@marygoog3740]

This tune is well done on a CD called "The Glory of Gershwin"

[@ZdzislawKolekcja]

ŚLICZNE- DZIĘKI!!!

[@HermenegildoMendes]

Dziękuję za komentarz

[@kempo9jo]

素晴らしいです！この動画が観れて嬉しいです。ありがとうございます！

[@TelQuiero]

My Father played but was always in ore of this man ! My Dad had (what's called) a Double Reed with the button on the side, the same as what he's playing.

[@landztranz]

Exactly. There are many masterful chromatic harmonica players today. True, no one will sound exactly like Larry Adler. Maybe that's what the commenter meant...I hope so. :-)

[@janiceward2088]

genius...!

[@williamcran7950]

Oh Joy!

[@carlossoria1783]

Aqui estaba el campeon de campeones del mundo,mi mayor admirador sin ninguna duda siempre lo tendre en mi mente -Que en paz descanse.-

[@andrewgillis8572]

such an aggreesive technician - I mean, loud - and the greatest - Adler torched the reeds

[@jiml7657]

I want to play like that.

[@posnerist]

brilliant

[@antoniosansonetti2552]

Bravissimo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sidgriffin813]

Larry Adler was the greatest. By the way, the LOVED the harmonica playing of the great bluesman Sonny Terry. Fact. Compare this to the wheezing harmonica work of most folkies and the cliches of blues players (like, ahhh, me...) and you really see the harmonica, in this case a chromatic harmonica, is a really powerful, underestimated instrument.

[@christianrolin3456]

génial !

[@Harmonicando]

Merci Gabriel, une Bonne Année à toi.

[@landztranz]

As do I (I'm almost 61). Those generalizations also include people saying that you have to be young to learn to play an instrument. Nonsense! (I've been playing harmonicas for less than 5 years now and, although I'm no Adler, I've come a long way! I even play in a band!

[@Harmonicando]

He was the Best!

[@davidthomas5718]

I also recommend his Parkinson appearance with Mr #ItzhakPerlman playing "Summertime' so sweet & delicate with the world's finest virtuoso violinist in period.

[@marylinethouvenin1397]

C'est parfais. Bravo.

[@johnny0468]

genius ......xxx

[@AcsaRampi]

Coisa linda demais

[@Harmonicando]

@dijoracing Thanks for your kind comments, all the best for you in this new year

[@ismaelmarcoalfonso8060]

Larry Adler además de un gran músico, fue deportado por el Macartismo, acusado de comunista, se exilió en UK. Alguien sabe qué sucedió? Adler y Thielman son mis favoritos. Tengo una vieja armónica Honner del modelo Larry Adler.

[@bikerbisht110]

If you are going to listen to a harmonica, it must be Adler ... genius

[@turnitback]

I agree: that's another groundless prejudice. The capacity to learn is far from lost when you're that bit older. I'd love to play the harmonica, but the route I have taken is to become the drummer in our local brass band. I have learned to read music over the past two and a half years and am quite useful now. I know several other good musicians who started in their late fifties. Unfortunately, though, I also know many who won't start because they think it is too late!

[@xxxxharp]

I started playing harmonica with bands at 40. Wanted to play blues but started playing jazz and swing and standards......much fun !

[@GabrielMoinetharmo]

Beau.

[@mypueblo8336]

👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@CarlDoesMusic]

He and Stevie... name somebody else...

[@Harmonicando]

@joepic19 Thank you for comment

[@ArinoriInagawaharmonica]

Do you know when this was broadcasted? Though I'm Japanese, I don't know that...Thank you

[@Harmonicando]

@RattleheadUK You can consider yourself a lucky man, because you had the privilege of listening to the Master, thanks for the comment.

[@joepic19]

~ 6:45 pure astonishment

[@mehmetmertgunduz]

This is a great performance. It's very hard to exectue with harmonica, some timing issues but it's an harmonica. Very nice playing!

[@charlesbazalgette3478]

I noticed those, but still a virtuoso performance. I met him a couple of times as I was at school with his son

[@mehmetmertgunduz-personal]

@@charlesbazalgette3478 Exactly, Larry Adler is a real virtuoso. It is very hard to play in an orchestra, I can't even imagine with a chromatic harmonica. Also, it should be a very nice feeling to meet the greatest harmonica player in the world :)

[@landztranz]

What a pity! But as for you...good for you!!! Keep it up!!!

[@GabrielMoinetharmo]

Ce Grand est un joueur étourdissant,je l'admire.Merci pour cette vidéo Gildo.Meilleur salut des Ardennes.Gabriel.

[@worsted1908]

Love Mr Adler's harmonica playing - but, unfortunately, this sounds slightly off-key in parts??!! If anyone wants to hear him at his best, listen to him playing "Summertime" (with Itzahk Perlman on violin, on the Parkinson Show back in 1978, I think)

[@Harmonicando]

@Krokodilizm Is your opinion!

[@thanhnguyen-ow4wc]

His chromatic harmonica is hohner chromonica 270 steel comb, right ?

[@Harmonicando]

@snoopyharmo Sorry, but I don't know. Thanks.

[@user-nt8rj4ch2b]

I listened to an interview with Larry on C b C radio. He said that he played a mouth organ. He found the term harmonica to be elitist

[@turnitback]

Yes, I too find that kind of comment amusing. The line of thinking seems to be closely associated with the assumption that everything old is good, and everything new bad; all young people are stupid; etc.