One-Woman Orchestra Plays George Gershwin's Masterpiece (feat. Claire Huangci)

Pianist Claire Huangci performs George Gershwin's arrangement of his classic work "Rhapsody in Blue", in honor of the 100th anniversary of the piece's premiere on February 12, 1924.
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[@jnmusic9969]

Everything is so clear, I love the dryness of certain passages. More pianists need to play a little drier when the moment calls for it.

[@MrKongchaw]

Dryness my as. You both have brain damage

[@MC-hx6xn]

Huangci's bass voicing blew my mind, sometimes it doesn't even sound like a piano. And more pianists should play without shoes

[@tomlabooks3263]

Why ?

[@cadriver2570]

Her runs and repeated notes are so electric. Awesome to hear another fresh take on this piece.

[@AldenHardaway]

Funny you should mention it- she just released a tonebase course on repeated notes!

[@davisatdavis1]

Her clear articulation itched my brain. Especially the tremelos

[@likeariver2237]

Claire you showed me the genius nuances of Gershwin with your performance. I can't thank you enough ❤

[@CodyHazelleMusic]

Love the interpretation. Her fortissimos are so huge and give me chills. Great phrasings and articulations. I dont think I've ever heard it played like this!

[@likeariver2237]

Loved this adaptation. I got so tried from Oscar Levant to present with this piece played so often. But her orchestral interpretation and dynamics made me fall in love with it again and her.

[@mavisching3280]

Breathtaking! Thank you, Claire!

[@checallo]

Claire, you made my day ❤

[@moniquelemaire5333]

While attending college I was able to play through this solo version of the Rhapsody in Blue and had about half of it memorized 🎉. This piece is indeed a good workout!!! The pianist here is doing a great job. 👍😁 Congratulations 👏 and Brava for an excellent performance. Miss Monique 🙂🙏🌷💖

[@harrisfrankou2368]

She has the groove soul feel humour and pathos...well done superb.

[@margarethansen7480]

Well done!! Gershwin would be proud hearing that marvelous rendition!!! Thanks a lot❤❤❤

[@issurchaim]

Inspiring interpretation of a masterpiece.

[@Sam-nb1rm]

The phrasing is very musical! ❤ Thank you for the music, and thank you, Mr Gershwin 😊❤

[@doublenickel1000]

Holy mackerel. I didn't know this arrangement existed. Phenomenal performance. Brava.

[@bernardcohen332]

A the opening gorgeous run on clarinet was written as a chromatic. The clarinet player suggested the run as it is now!

[@beatlessteve1010]

When i hear this i think of the hustle and bustling of a busy city.

[@johnpablo2525]

George Gershwin composed this piece? He sure knows how to write music for different style of music......or should I say, " music for every season?". Incredible....

[@tomlabooks3263]

This performance is fantastic and so warm-hearted. One of the best I’ve ever heard. I’m applauding her 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Side note: I have to agree with the people in the comments who didn’t like the barefoot playing. This is a minor detail, of course, only it’s not unimportant. Our times seem to have forgotten the importance of decency and propriety - in everything. Am I sounding like an 80 year old nun? Well, nuns are actually very wise about life. Splendid music and great musicians like her deserve all our admiration. We put them on a well-deserved pedestal. And I know I might be on the more traditional end of the spectrum, as for example I often find Yuja’s skimpy dresses inappropriate. But, people: whoever you are, if you’re playing the piano in public, please wear your shoes. You surely can find a pair of shoes that’s both appropriate and very light / comfortable enough to give you the right type of foot sensitivity.

[@cosimariemer9243]

Do you find bare feet to be very sexual? By that logic, her skirt not covering her knees should also not be "proper"... Its not like her feet are somehow more dirty than shoes that you wear outside. Playing barefoot is becoming more popular these days, in all of music. Those musicians feel more comfortable or more grounded that way (and you might be shocked - most people dont practice in shoes in their own home).

[@tomlabooks3263]

@@cosimariemer9243 I understand that the concept of propriety changes over time. But I’m a simple traditionalist: I see bare feet, I think they have stepped everywhere and therefore they’re not clean. (No need for your mind to immediately go to sex).

[@rebusbiggsesq.3666]

Sorry, real traditionalists are nudists.

[@judycallahan1426]

WOW! She brought me to tears! So much joy. I never tire of this work. Thanks

[@bravenewworld3861]

Gershwin would be proud of you!!! Respect!!!

[@lohphat]

Absolutely breathtaking. To remember one of humanity’s greatest compositions on its Centenary in such a fiery performance does George Gershwin a great honor. We lost a genius composer in his prime of life - so much lost potential for more… She made that piano SING.

[@Mike-qo8nm]

Saw the bare feet and said yeah she ain't messing around. Man that was awesome!!!

[@tomlabooks3263]

She is such an amazing pianist… and this rendition is so warm-hearted… but the bare feet are a narcissistic affectation. Anyone can find shoes that are comfortable and light enough to “feel” the pedal. People have been doing that for centuries.

[@o.m.2203]

@@tomlabooks3263🙄

[@AnthonyB2351]

The girl's got rhythm. Buckets of it.

[@margaretwicks873]

Magical!

[@clhanon31415]

The Yamaha CFX is the most beautiful piano available right now.

[@tylerchen618]

Magnificent!!

[@bobbygadourymusic5476]

Brilliant and passionate performance!

[@xokai1221]

Wow, simply wow.

[@padminimayur4049]

This piece, and the way it's played, is really tickling my ears in the best way!

[@careljeromecornelisfredrik5252]

Thanks for this marvelous rendition, a favourite of my dad and my family.❤

[@evelyneduval6441]

Incredible performance! Bravissimo!

[@TrekRad]

Danke!

[@Makusa-qc2qd]

The first minute or so was rough, but I'm glad I stuck with it. It gets great after a couple minutes

[@robbes7rh]

Played with great facility and control. And a lot of expression. But I wonder about overapplying extreme dynamic contrasts and rubato throughout the entire piece. Saving such things for special moments would have a more dramatic effect.

[@MC-hx6xn]

maybe a conscious choice to differentiate it from the orchestral version (idk)?

[@dgmelvin]

Wow, outstanding!

[@martaromarate5372]

Fantástico!!🎶👌🎹👏👏👏👏

[@muffinman4353]

BRAVO!!!

[@RolandHuettmann]

Bravo, expressive, creative.. what attributes could satisfy? I enjoyed your play very much.🥳👍

[@user-ov3fk4te1u]

Legend!!!

[@gregjacksmusic]

EPIC!

[@Tonysmithmusic]

superb.

[@eddydelrio1303]

Brava!

[@ronaldmartin4664]

Very good. Only I would suggest that this fine pianist listen to Gershwin's own recording. She should also listen to lots of 20s stride piano (Lucky Roberts & Willie "the Lion" Smith), because that's the piano style that deeply influenced Gershwin, much more than European piano styles.

[@marcusstrada]

is the sheet available?

[@viniciussantos-oh1jx]

neat!

[@lyndasoar4345]

W o w !

[@joaobalducci1701]

isn't the piano version the initial version, and it was then arranged for orchestra?

[@soozb15]

I think the original was for a small band and he scaled it up. But I haven't checked...

[@BestOfMusic444]

@suzieby15 You're right, the original version was for a small band, orchestrated by Walter Groffe ( not Gershwin himself).

[@vikimac1]

The original compositionby George Gershwin was for 2 pianos. It was orchestrated by Ferde Grofé,, also a composer best known for his "Grand Canyon Suite"

[@susanharris7388]

It was arranged for the Paul Whiteman band/orchestra.

[@daffyduck4195]

I remember her from the Chopin competition, or at least I think it was the Chopin competition. From what I recall, she had a very aggressive playing style, almost like she was performing a Liszt composition instead of Chopin. It was surprising to see such intensity from a female pianist. Now, listening to her interpretation of Gershwin, it's clear that she's approaching it in a classical manner, like a European ballet. However, to an American listener, it might sound foreign, lacking that distinct jazz feel that we're used to. It can definitely be a challenge for foreign pianists who were brought up in the strict classical tradition to adapt to the American style, with its flair, swagger, and jazzy elements.

[@Bashkii]

No shoes!! Damn!! Good fo her!! I love her interpretation!! This Yamaha piano sounds a bit electrical.

[@cadriver2570]

Any insight to why there isn't a good edition of the solo piano version? Would kill for a Henle version.

[@robertfricano3649]

Watching her moves , she's making love to the piano. My favorite of all time Oscar Levant and this lady pulls me In , but her mannerisms and movement race my heart.

[@tatummacsquezzy2803]

It's too quiet at the end. BRAVO!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Jehvenknb]

What happened to yunchan lim and lugansky interview?🧐🧐🧐

[@jarbasgoulartdecastro9104]

Gorgeous!!!! The score?

[@klaus.mp3]

08:27 ISNT THAT STAR WARS?

[@1fattyfatman]

🦶

[@HPYB]

first

[@gagagugu379]

Gorgeous, but the outfit is ridiculous.

[@patricknogueiraa]

Good thing that we are here for the music and not the looks

[@joaobalducci1701]

music critique only. this ain't fashion week.

[@leandrogulrt]

💅🏽

[@Daniel_Ilyich]

@@patricknogueiraa Though, you gotta admit that the whole barefoot thin was a "choice."

[@LogioTek]

​@@Daniel_Ilyich A lot of people play barefoot. It gives you a better connection with the instrument. Drummers do that a lot too.

[@benheideveld4617]

Not what’s on the paper! Way too much pianistic “interpretation”…

[@leandrogulrt]

Yes. And?..

[@saltburner2]

I think it is transcribed from the composer's own piano roll: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHvPiXehoNKImqM

[@AshishXiangyiKumar]

Dude you looked at a piece that lies exactly at the midpoint of the classical and _jazz_ traditions and complained that what you were hearing wasn't what was _on the paper?_ This is great playing, stop being such a fun sponge

[@Pseudify]

The description says it is Gershwin’s arrangement. Which I would assume is an arrangement made from the original combo version.

[@lohphat]

ITS A JAZZ PIECE. It’s supposed to contain improvisation. You rube.

[@MrKongchaw]

Gershwin maybe a genius. But jazz only for low life. GOAT my as.

[@WEEBLLOM]

Kid