Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Michel Camilo: Rhapsody in Blue

531

Michel Camilo: Rhapsody in Blue

By

Sign in to view read count
Michel Camilo: Rhapsody in Blue
The crystal clear articulation with which Michel Camilo interprets "Rhapsody in Blue" comes naturally. He was a child prodigy, after all, who joined the National Symphony of the Dominican Republic at age sixteen. Here, with the 95-piece Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, he resurrects George Gershwin's landmark composition with its jazz inflection and significant orchestral jazz textures. Camilo's grand piano weaves a silver thread through the piece, summoning up the deep feeling that comes ingrained in the composition. Without those emotional overtones, the piece would not have had such an impact on us during the Jazz Age.

Written just one year after "Rhapsody in Blue," Gershwin's three-movement Concerto in F emphasizes rhythm much more than its predecessor. With this extended piece, Camilo is free to ride the swinging vehicles of the Roaring Twenties with aplomb. The pianist's intense rhythmic drive—he was a percussionist with the National Symphony—helps him to interpret this piece with accuracy. You can feel the syncopation of ragtime as the orchestra builds momentum. In the second movement, a deep blues oozes through as open trumpet and violins carry the theme with passion. Camilo's piano interpretation carries a powerful wallop, particularly on the Allegro Agitato movement, where he brings the session to a boil.

"Prelude No. 2" was originally titled "Blue Lullaby." Here, the pianist provides a dreamy soliloquy without orchestra that timidly unleashes Gershwin's magical spell. The blues comes woven throughout its lovely texture as Camilo closes the album with quietude. He's captured the heartfelt passion in Gershwin's compositions, as well as the composer's overt rhythmic connection to early jazz.

Track Listing

Rhapsody in Blue; Concerto in F: Allegro, Adagio - Andante con moto, Allegro Agitato, Prelude No. 2.

Personnel

Michel Camilo: piano; Barcelona Symphony Orchestra.

Album information

Title: Rhapsody in Blue | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Telarc Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.