Opera 128
Gershwin: Porgy and Bess
Soloists
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Simon Rattle
Gershwin is, I am afraid, something of a blind spot for me. I’ve played most of the familiar works including the suite from this opera but I haven’t found a way get on his wavelength. So many composers have expressed their admiration for his music that I feel that I must be missing something. I had never, perhaps to my shame, listened to tho whole of Porgy and Bess, so this project was an idea time to put that omission to rest.
Unfortunately I can’t say that it it changed my opinion of the composer very much. The famous show tunes are fabulous of course, and it is great to them given the full operatic treatment in this famous recording, but much of the rest just passed me by. It all too often seemed glutinous and over written and the jazz inflections seemed heavy handed. It is also very long - three full CDs - indeed it is one of the longest operas that I have heard in this project to date.
Perhaps one day the scales will fall from my eyes - but for the moment I have to say that Gershwin is not for me - my loss I am sure!
