Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue GENIUS SOLO PIANO ARRANGEMENT by Jack Gibbons

[@fr.paulmartin6314]

Jack Gibbons is without question the finest interpreter of Gershwin's music since Oscar Levant. No other living being has such a firm handle on the Gershwin style. Thanks, Jack. You've made my life richer.

[@jamesculwell8628]

Amen

[@kayrugg7728]

The best !! You make Leonard Bernstein look like he needs piano lessons!! I have been a fan of Gershwin since a child. I am 70 now and I have never heard better. Have studied under George Fanelli and thought I was pretty good until now. I think the Steinway was tuned better then I have ever heard. Don't have much time left on Earth, so I am so honored and inspired to listen to this performance . God bless you🎵💕

[@anitashullerpiano1211]

Leo definitely doesn’t need piano lessons, but thank you for sharing! This is indeed an awesome performance!

[@josephmclaughlin9865]

Hope you're still with us

[@fr.paulmartin6314]

Good to meet another septuagenarian Gershwin fan (I'm 72!). Isn't Jack great? He alone today understands the Gershwin style. He's in a class with Levant & the composer himself.

[@flintlong2937]

This is just great. He's playing the orchestral score. In other words, the classic, traditional piano arrangement does not contain several portions that he is playing. He has added them to the generally accepted piano score. He is playing more the parts the piano would play with orchestra. And he's doing an incredible job of it. I can hear the orchestra! Can you?

[@kathleensposato5529]

Yep

[@carinacoetsee2334]

Yes, it's wonderful!

[@jstasiak2262]

He is playing a transcription of George Gershwin playing this piece on the pianola-the player piano that uses paper rolls to record music. You can hear Gershwin himself playing this arrangement on the CD “Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls, Vol. 1”

[@charlesgreenberg6956]

@@jstasiak2262 half correct since the gershwin pianola piece is for two pianos (As that's how he composed the piece prior to orchestration) he's probably playing some reduction of that original dual piano piece

[@nerdy_nurse]

He’s playing the piano roll version which is for 2 pianos. He jokes in his concerts that he will play as many notes as he possibly can. 😊

[@danielhoover2790]

So many years of listening, and not enjoying, the solo version of the rhapsody. Jack brings it to life. Thank you Jack!

[@kimstill7611]

I truly believe this is one of the best pieces of music written in the 20th century...Gershwin was a genius. And, Jack Gibbons gives his own genius to it in this performance. Wow.

[@brianweir1270]

Yeah he owns this piece! Yeah a favourite way to kill 15-16min!

[@MrIcecolddd]

Kim Still Couldn’t agree more, this song is one for the history books and will truly stand the test of time. It makes you wonder what else could he have gone on to write if he didn’t die at such an early age.

[@cognacremy387]

What's amazing about this whole thing is that this is his encore after playing all of Alkan's Etudes from memory. F'ing insane......

[@jeanieperkins]

That is amazing!! Cheers!

[@alberto798]

WTF

[@damiangilz]

A man that does that knows no limits... and he knows it

[@agamaz5650]

all of Alkan's Etudes from memory? omg show

[@davidloveday8473]

@@agamaz5650 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bF68iZecgLBngJI

[@DoeSwiftandBond]

One of the best Rhapsody performances. True to the tone and spirit of the orchestra versions, yet brilliant in while long piano play. Fantastic. Rest smiling Gershwin!

[@hooligan2005]

Been watching this for years and it never gets old

[@hooligan2005]

More than three years later I am still watching it and it is as fresh as ever!

[@jamesculwell8628]

Me too...❤

[@mikepen3477]

surely Gershwin himself would have admired this interpretation!

[@RexAstrum]

I admit, I clapped at my computer at the end of the piece ._. fantastic!

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

Gershwin played it even faster. This music was composed with a fast-moving train in mind & not a cable car. Gibbon's tempo is exactly right. This pianist knows what he's doing & understands exactly what George Gershwin wanted. His interpretation also maintains the integrity of how it was first recorded, by Oscar Levant, who witnessed Gershwin composing it at hand.

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

You're right. George would approve!

[@jeffm68]

And how precisely would you know at what speed Gershwin played the piece? I grow very weary of people who want to puff themselves up on the accomplishments of others. Why is it so difficult to simply compliment the performer without attempting to boost your own ego?

[@pleasedontfeedthe6235]

@@jeffm68 I think this was a compliment to the pianist, kind of came off a little arrogant at the beginning but reading the entirety of the comment, I think the commenter was trying to say that this piece was meant to be played with aggressive speed. Comparable to other interpretations of the piece, might mean it is not always being played up to tempo. I've noticed this with Chopin's Prelude in E Minor, a lot of pianists will play this piece very rushed when it is meant to be heart-wrenching, deliberate and slow. Not a right or wrong way to do it, music is open to interpretation. Just cool to hear when a musician really tunes into the feelings of the composer.

[@teh_hunterer]

Definitely get you, though he didn't always do it faster. In some piano roll recordings he played a lot of it far slower than any other performances of this song I've heard. There are some nuances and truly special feelings in this song that are lost by how fast everyone plays. Jack comes close, but his interpretation does still miss some of those. But everyone misses them.

[@miken891]

Rubbish! Gershwin didn't play it faster. Here's the original 1924 recording with Gershwin as soloist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHjZpoiFqa16oc0

[@niklag]

this is the only video that actually comes close to the real gershwin

[@dabaska787]

good god jack , you are the man

[@keithkunikida1222]

He put so much energy on that last chord and nails it to the wall, love it!

[@Amy-Bo-Bamy]

This is a great rendition. This song should always be played slightly "off the rails" at parts, and he has definitely achieved that.

[@danilofonseca2458]

I could only imagine the feeling of being able to play this masterpiece.. genius

[@youtubecommenter-on9kd]

You mean the sore forearms? or the broken fingers? there are easier ways to get either of those...

[@Eli-yr7ou]

youtube commenter #6872149 There may be easier ways but i cant think of one that sounds better

[@stefanos_maragkakis]

youtube commenter #6872149 you forgot the back pain from the hours of practising

[@PaulTehGr8]

youtube commenter #6872149 #arthrose haters inc

[@haraldx8873]

+danilo fonseca It is not easy. But you sure do NOT have to be a genius to play that.

[@suztours]

Forget parades, forget football, even forget black-eyed peas, collard greens, and cornbread... my mother used to play this in the afternoon every New Year's Day on our Steinway Baby Grand Piano... I could hardly keep still, but I was in heaven! Miss you Mom (she passed away in 2007), but I can still see you sitting at the piano playing your heart out on this one, which you loved!

[@jscottupton]

He managed the spirit of the piece even WITHOUT the orchestra. Amazing.

[@rinsim]

just saw him playing in Oxford. Absolutely amazing and what an incredible left hand! And it's not a "normal" piano concert. He involves the audience talking about Gershwin in a very enjoyable. But he also explain technical details about Gershwin compositions and piano technique. I was 2 meters apart from the keyboard so I could see everything and I was shocked about how fast his left hand leaped and played in tenths. What a genius!

[@radesrochers]

I'm always amazed when I ponder the incredible talent of George Gershwin to have written something so complex but beautiful as Rhapsody In Blue.

[@fr.paulmartin6314]

Yes, indeed! Do you know Gershwin's other works for piano & orchestra? His Piano Concerto in F is one of the world's great concertos, & his 2nd Rhapsody is another fine tonal painting of NYC. And his opera Porgy & Bess is his absolute masterpiece. Check them out!😊

[@oliounidizlove]

Pour mes funérailles, fini les mots, ça suffit !!!. Je veux partir avec cette version piano, merci monsieur Gibbons !!!❤

[@MrTennis63]

I’ve seen many many videos of pianists playing Rhapsody in Blue with and without an orchestra to accompany them but this version of Rhapsody by Jack Gibbons is the best I have ever seen or heard.

[@danielappleton153]

I don't think it's possible to get tired of this song. There's something so positive & full of vitality in it. I could get my name in the Guiness Book of Records for listening to the most renditions. :)

[@jilkat25]

Me, too! Just received two copies (one "vintage" 1925) from Amazon! Hope my fingers stay attached!

[@danielappleton153]

Ma B I listened to several versions of it for nearly an hour. The only one I didn't really care for was a version by Eumir Deodato. It was too heavy on synthesizer effects.

[@jilkat25]

My husband and one of our daughters went to New York last week. I made them listen to this rendition and a couple of symphonic ones several times before they left and told them to "listen to it" in their minds and watch how George Gershwin painted a portrait of the city with his music. They loved it, and watched for ways the different sections of the piece told the story of the city and its people in constant motion through the music.

[@danielappleton153]

Ma B I read that Rhapsody was actually inspired by a trip taken by Gershwin by train from NY to Boston. There are sections that sound like powerful machinery, ie train engines when the Industrial Age was still ** relatively ** new.

[@sexypoetry]

Daniel Appleton can't beat me, i listen it at least once a day since i was 5 years old, but i prefer orchestral version, though i know it was originally written for two pianos.

[@Nick215NY]

By far one of the best renditions of the Rhapsody I have ever heard. Powerful, energetic and no-nonsense, exactly as George Gershwin would have wanted it.

[@wsp67326]

barniv, 70 years have passed since Gershwin died; there is no copyright remaining that his estate would own. His works are now in the public domain.

[@Gxyz222]

It takes a very special person to perform a Gershwin song of this level, stamina and skill. You do the legendary composer immense justice Jack!

[@astridmmusic]

He enjoys the music so much, look at his body language and facial expressions. I really appreciate those pianists who express their enthusiasm about music during playing :D

[@Avner01]

I heard the original piano version by Gershwin a long time ago. I even found it on KZbin, although it's nowhere to be found now; Jack's version sticks to Gershwin even in small details (4'09", 5'02", etc.) no doubt. A real pleasure.

[@pleasedontfeedthe6235]

Just learned the first two pages of rhapsody in blue...with not nearly as much tact of course. Love this piece.

[@veg1run]

+Audrey Scanlon Hope that you learn the entire piece. Have you seen the Paola Bruni video? you can find it on youtube.

[@Askeys]

+Audrey Scanlon jaja yo cuatro

[@MichaelCGatesMusic]

+Audrey Scanlon How are you making out with it, after five months? I just can't get one of the pages, I think 27 on my score... I just can't get it. It has some crazy arpeggios on the right hand that my hand just won't do.

[@brianweir1270]

awesome piece piano solo or full orchestra. touches so many genres of music.

[@FreakyStyleytobby]

Yesterday i've finally finished reading last page. After 3 years :D But frankly i didnt have time. Now it's time to master this piece.

[@2.20Daniel]

God I wish I could’ve been there when he first performed this masterpiece. I can’t imagine the look on people’s faces when they stood in front of greatness.

[@Sirvalorsax]

My favorite bit in this work is at 11:36. It's so hip!! This dude NAILS it! :)

[@futuristicameria7916]

Mine to 😀

[@JMKRATOCHVIL]

Best rendition I've ever heard. I'm working on this now-- it's 30 pages... changes keys multiple times. What an amazing piece.. reminds me of the old United Airlines commercials, too. I think he plays it better than Gershwin did. Did you know that Gibbons was in a near-fatal automobile accident?.. he had to retrain himself to learn to play. Hope he's doing well.

[@piratemeow]

Rhapsody in Blue is HANDS DOWN my favorite composition. I get goosebumps hearing the notes. I am now learning to play piano. And I am trying to get the basics down quick because this is the 1st complete composition I want to master.

[@veg1run]

+Supernatural Pineapple Look for the Paola Bruni performance on youtube.

[@gijswolfs8915]

You have to be at a very high level to play this, so I wish you all the luck in the world

[@leot7]

That's a good goal to work towards.

[@__jan]

can't rush something like this. just give it time, play simpler pieces, preferrably jazz because that'll get you closest to gershwin

[@josephhowes2663]

This is a very challenging piece and in most cases would take over 5 or 6 years of experience to get anywhere near this level

[@jarmstrong2843]

Works for me. Seems like Gibbons nailed it 110% in the style Gershwin liked to play...a little fast. Lot's folks play Gershwin's music, but they don't play it well.

[@albertpeckham8708]

Dear God! How do you keep all of this magic inside your head! KUDOS to you ! Thank you!

[@calen_chan]

I always think about the Fantasia cartoon as the song plays. :)

[@stefdewijn5010]

Same!

[@janeconrad9585]

Try thinking of the sounds of a city street when listening to this also.

[@ohxishxitsxdavid]

I'm completely blown away. I can't believe some people have the gall to down-vote this. Those people really just hate themselves.

[@robertosanpaolopianoforte]

Genius!!! Your version is incredible!!!! You made this composition more beautiful than the original one.

[@madlovba3]

I'd downloaded this video earlier, posted it on my madlovba2 account, and after my channel was deleted (definitely not because of this video) I reuploaded it to madlovba3. Mr Gibbons, who is actually present on KZbin, has never expressed any complaints about this awesome video; on the contrary, he linked it on his website and in a comment he said "thanks to madlovba2" for that upload. Luckily, he's not a copyright nazi at all and lets his wonderful performances spread and be spread.

[@cwm1111]

Genius. Pure genius. Referring to both Gershwin and Gibbons.

[@mudhen9295]

I saw him play Bach at Oxford recently and his joy was infectious. What a treat to find this online.

[@markhaslett3414]

This is a great performance. I think Horowitz said it was always easier to play with a concerto with other instruments to cover any errors....but to play solo, one had to really know the music and the intent of the composer.

[@tbarrelier]

Until a couple of days ago, I had heard only the orchestral version of the Rhapsody. I will not listen to anything but the solo version from now on. This performance is mind-boggling. Gershwin joined the Immortals when he wrote this.

[@p1anosteve]

Yes I agree, Gershwin sketched the orchestral part on piano and it was orchestrated by Ferde Grofe from Gershwin's score. This is a synthesis of the two piano version played as a solo which has not been attempted before Gibbons version, an almost insanely difficult solo.

[@tbarrelier]

@@p1anosteve Thanks, Steve, for the information. I had no idea Gershwin was not the one who orchestrated the work. Also, I didn't know it was originally a two-piano score. It's funny how the piano version has been overtaken by the orchestral. In this instance, less is definitely more!

[@p1anosteve]

@@tbarrelier Well actually Gershwin did intend it for piano and orchestra, it was just that he didn't have time to do the orchestration. He barely had time to complete the work for the famous Carnegy Hall concert arranged by Paul Whiteman in which he played the piano part. It's alleged that he had to improvise some of piano parts he had not finished. The piece was so popular that later he scored a solo and two piano arrangement also. It's a fascinating story of a unbelievably gifted and super confident young man.

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

Not only would George be exquisitely proud of this performance, Oscar Levant would be too. This is far beyond the level of acceptability; this is sheer genius. The interpretation is right on target & so is the playing. Jack Gibbons is to Gershwin & music what Euell Gibbons was to the outdoors & nature. Gibbons' playing of Gershwin rivals other greats such as Andre Previn & Earl Wild. Gershwin took a very fast tempo & Gibbons is true to the composer's own interpretation. Bravo, Mr. Gibbons!

[@mrtscollection2345]

This guy crushed this performance. Im talking out in to the bay. Tremendous performance.

[@drkhanelkins]

This is the best Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue I have ever heard on KZbin or anywhere. And This gentleman is fascinating to hear in person and the history he provides about the music he plays is totally awesome. We are lucky and blessed in Elkins West Virginia, to get to see And hear him play. .

[@burgermikestir]

No song describes city life like this piece... This guy is beyond legendary.

[@denostar]

By far the best solo piano version I've listened to!

[@jamesculwell8628]

Ive heard several solos of Rhapsody in Blue, and this is by far the best that ive ever heard.

[@expoers]

Great, the best performed of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue in piano solo,....... Thank you for share,.... Edd

[@roderickburger2880]

why the advertisement halfway? Why?

[@martinalejandrechaya6006]

Its not only how well and fast he plays, its also about the feeling he puts into it, and about how he takes u to another world. It doesnt matter how good you actually press the notes, any robot can play a couple of notes, its much harder tan that

[@tiernanmchugh9655]

My favourite bit is the section at 9:27, it's so soothing

[@GoPriusGo]

never had the pleasure of seeing this pianist, but this has to be the most flawlessly executed play of this piece that i've ever heard.

[@1947IndianChief]

I just shake my head in wonder at how magnificently you perform this piece. Musical tastes of course vary, but I’ve been listening to Gershwin for 35 years and, for me, your renditions of his work are most akin to how I envision them being played. Awe inspiring!

[@kimstill7611]

OK…I love this piece by G…but this dude…he brought tears to my eyes. What a brilliant interpretation. Thanks. :D

[@rey5490]

this is the most amazing piano performance Ive ever seen in my life, it just brings me emotions i just cant describe.

[@PigTazer]

can't describe how this made me feel... Beautiful.

[@pavelusa]

No real sick as hell the best piano performance I ever here I am just jealous

[@genarosauriosrex1332]

The best versión i've ever heard. So powerful!!!!!!!!

[@shanilmisra]

Such clean striking. What a maestro!

[@biby2216]

The amount of concentration to play so fast and accurately is amazing. Well done Mr Gibbons. I salute you sir.

[@NIKKIKEM]

Sometimes you just have to let genius wash over you. Stunning.

[@AlexJamesGTV]

still don't understand how one is able to do this without their fingers falling off.

[@danielappleton153]

Many players have lost their fingers after playing the piece in its entirety.....

[@AlexJamesGTV]

Daniel Appleton doesn't surprise me. :)

[@MileyRulz1234567]

My mom used to be able to play this before she got arthritis #tragic

[@sonjs3336]

Super glue

[@chrisbenna506]

Like 30+ years of piano technique

[@SAlvarezJr25]

Amazing song. Amazing composer. Not to mention Jack Gibbons' playing. This guy was born to play piano.

[@Dimuthu1993]

Simply amazing

[@robe1712]

Gershwin only lived 38 years. And he became one of the best. composer. God bless him.

[@oliverdavidson8198]

I fainted and had to be resuscitated after watching this video. Amazing song. Amazing piano play.

[@laurawhitetail]

george must be so proud of mr gibbons and mr armstrong

[@LenHummelChannel]

One of the greatest "mood-classical-masterpieces" EVER, ... played intensely and brilliantly. FLAWLESS ! thanks for uploading this.

[@solstarsgalaxy]

Test for great music: Play it fast. Does it sound great? Play it slow. Does it sound great? Play it on the piano. Does it sound great? Thrown in an orchestra (or band). Does it sound great? May answer to all the above is a resounding YES. I like this arrangement and wish to say thanks for the posting.

[@paulmazurek3608]

Sheet music for this is 30 pages a lot of notes to remember.this guy is GOOD. Thanks one of my favorites. Thanks

[@josiahodg3]

Sheet music is 41 pages long!!! This guys a bloody genius!

[@ikschrijflangenamen]

Check out Alkan's Concerto for Solo Piano. 200 pages, 50 minutes, he memorised the whole thing!

[@ikschrijflangenamen]

***** Forgive me, it's actually only 131 pages long.

[@davidrosen5161]

***** "only"

[@kevinandbonnie]

If I had to go live on a desert island and could take only one musical recording, or if the earth was about to be hit by an asteroid and you could choose only one recording to send into outer space, this would be it. Superb.

[@zforzorrito9846]

Whenever i hear this i think of the American flag flying high, fireworks on the 4th of july and my aunt's homemade apple pie... this music is a slice of American pie! For all of us, forever!

[@TIOMKIN1]

Outstanding and Magnificent piano playing of a Great Piece of Music by George Gershwin. Thanks for the upload. Out.

[@humblebees_]

Now, one may be questioning, "Rhapsody in Blue? how can music have colour?" I present you this video. And welcome to the internet, we are glad to have you.

A fabulous piece of music masterly performed.

[@PaulRx4]

I spent too many years learning this and never being truly happy with its many styles that have to be perfect to sound right. Then to hear this perfect version! This is so good it is depressing, a fantastic performance!!!!! Compare this to at least 10 truly excellent versions, nothing is better. Love his Gershwin!

[@tomgorney8868]

Again I'm in tears.

[@JulieHeathers]

Truly EXTRAORDINARY Perfect Performance !!!!

[@Mrphilharmonic]

I doubt whether Gershwin himself could have played it any better! Amazing performance. Very clean and well articulated. Good tempos. Brilliant!

[@AndyRedford]

Amazing....The guys brilliant!! I love this piece of music but have only ever enjoyed the full orchestral version of it prior to finding this solo version.

[@georgeghirlando8382]

Interesting comments here. In an interview years ago with Gershwin's sister, Frances Godowsky, she named Leonard Pennario as her favorite Gershwin interpreter. She basically said when he played her brother's music it sounded like George at the keyboard. She died at 92 in 1999. Leonard died at 83 from Parkinson Disease and that's why he stopped performing in the late 1990's. Now the super excellent pianist, Jack Gibbons fills a kind of void. This is often what we humans do, isn't it? Pass it forward. Often the promise and the prayer lives on. However, sometimes the best of things are lost in sands of time, only leaving a hint of once was, but may never pass this way again.

[@kennethclark1912]

This song has better harmony then Mozart and all the others. Thanks for watching.

[@chrisoh995]

this is amazing...

[@davekingpt]

Wow. Just wow. That was fun. The rest of us can only dream of playing like that.

[@drb_physix]

I had the pleasure of listening to this pianist live (in Britain) in the mid 90s and he was and still is absolutely brilliant!

[@daviddenhalter8017]

My go-to song when I'm depressed. Gibson is a genius

[@poppypbr3996]

Heard and witnessed live on August 7th, 2018 in Lenox, MA at the Tanglewood Music Center: the summer home of the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras conducted by Bramwell Tovey, John Williams and Keith Lockhart. The pianist was Kirell Gerstein, the 2018 Koussevitsky Artist who was backed by the symphony orchestra during appropriate moments of the arrangement. Played to perfection with great feeling, power and poise, the crowd was moved to a standing ovation. John Williams compositions were icing on the cake. The 1812 Overture, with cannon fire and fireworks were impressive but slightly anti-climactic. Kirell Gerstein's amazing and unbelievable performance was the highlight of the evening. This was a very inexpensive, memorable trip worth every penny. Highly recommend the broad lawn area, bring your own lawn chairs and cooler. Same entertainment (LOUD and clear) for 1/4 the cost. Tanglewood Music Center: if you haven't been it should be on your bucket list.

[@bands115]

- Now that is talent! Absolutely amazing...

[@barbaramcelhiney5934]

No words. So beautiful. Speechless.

[@Baphelon]

this is one of the most amazing pieces ive ever heard!!! well done!

[@rogersmithpix]

just awesome ... a genius at work!

[@charlesdavis5802]

Beautiful indépendant suspension of the hands. Maybe a little fast… but I can still see the lights of New York at night. Well done. Sent with love. CVD

[@starcraft11100]

Powerful technical skills and creative interpretation.....I never grow tired of listening to Jack..I hope you share my enjoyment of the contemporary artist!

[@blackjacklondinium]

I believe this rendition to be the best I have heard. Too often I have been disappointed with other pianists' interpretations, deviating from what is written, and from what I believe was intended by the composer.

[@ronaldmartin4664]

I actually prefer this version for piano solo to the versions for jazz band & orchestra. It shows the originality of Gershwin's inspiration.

[@ronaldmartin4664]

And by the way, Jack Gibbons's playing as well as his interpretation is so idiomatic, flawless, really. Thanks for taking up the Gershwin cause, Jack!

[@Mickey-bo6cv]

I cried

[@foganava1108]

Que puedo decir? Creo que George está reencarnado en Jack!!! Merveilleux!!! Hector Navarro, Santa Fe, Argentina

[@TheSamara89kitten]

Yes, Gershwin was a genius, but it's great pianists like this who keep his music alive, let's not forget that ;-)