Making an auspicious debut for Sony Classical, violin virtuoso Joshua Bell teams for the first time with Oscar®-winning composer/conductor John Williams for a brilliant adventure through the world of composer George Gershwin. Featuring world premiere recordings of new arrangements for violin and orchestra of some of Gershwin's most beloved tunes, Gershwin Fantasy is fitting tribute to America's greatest composer in his centennial year.
Gershwin (who wrote no major works for violin) was a friend of violinist Jascha Heifetz, who made violin arrangements of "Three Preludes" after Gershwin's untimely death in 1937. Bell performs in this tradition of bringing the violin to Gershwin's music as Gershwin himself was never able to accomplish in his lifetime. Meanwhile, the versatile John Williams reveals himself as a talented pianist and deft accompanist; he makes a rare recording appearance here on the piano, as accompanist on "Three Preludes".
Gershwin himself appears on piano elsewhere on the CD, courtesy of his piano roll recording of the song "Sweet and Low-Down". But the centerpiece of this collection is the Porgy and Bess Fantasy, arranged for violin by composer Alexander Courage (best known now for writing the original "Star Trek" theme). Bell contributed many of his own embellishments to the violin part, including a cadenza leading to the finale. Since his emergence as a child prodigy in 1981, he has gone on to perform with the world's leading orchestras. Gershwin Fantasy will surely bolster Bell's growing reputation as a dazzling soloist and a passionate virtuoso.
Music from Gershwin Fantasy was featured on "PBS Evening at Pops" with John Williams conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra and Joshua Bell as featured soloist.
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