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This Album Is As Lovely, Silky and Soft As The Petals of A Pink English Rose May 15, 2009
This Grammy-nominated album "Gershwin Fantasy" by Joshua Bell is my first exposure to his remarkable talent and flair in violin. It is one of the best tribute albums honoring the genius of George Gershwin. I have watched Joshua Bell perform live at the Opening Night for Concert Season at Hollywood a few years back where he shared the spotlight with John Groban. I was in awe and it was great seeing them perform before a live audience. Listening to his recorded performances is such a delight, but seeing him perform live made me appreciate his flawless violin artistry even more.
The eleven tracks were beautifully arranged for violin and orchestra and well-executed by Joshua Bell with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of a fine conductor, John Williams, and with the able support of film composer/arranger Alexander Courage. His performances from the first track to the last are as lovely, silky and soft as the petals of a pink English rose. Should George Gershwin be listening from Heaven above, it would surely bring a big smile on his face.
While all the performances are captivatingly charming, my top favorites include four of Gershwin's gems of gems, "Embraceable You," "Love Is Here To Stay," "But Not For Me" and "Nice Work If You Can Get It." These pieces are well-executed in smooth, fluid, effortless and flawless manner. Each piece is given an exquisitely classical twist that makes it more endearing to the ears of fine music lovers. Listening to these pieces is such a very soothing, relaxing and entrancing musical adventure.
After performing for more than fifteen years and subsequent Grammy awards to add to his name, Joshua Bell has well-established his reputation in the art of music as a performer and recording artist. He is definitely recognized as one of the best and youngest violinists who add beauty and grace to the wonderful world of music. His artistry is marked by endless elegance and timeless appeal.
Listening to this album radiates joy in my heart and exudes serenity in my soul. This album is able to achieve such sentiments to my musical sensibilities. I do hope it does the same to all its listeners.
Here's to the magic of fine music!
* * * * *TEN STARS* * * * *
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 musicianship that mars music Mar 20, 2009
I was eager to obtain a copy of Joshua Bell's CD viz The Gershwin Fantasy - as I adore Gershwin and have an enormous respect for Joshua Bell. The
interpretations were dazzling to say the least; sometimes too much so. Great musicianship towers over the melodies and harmonies that make classical music 'popular'. One begins admiring the majestic thrust of Bell's variations but winds up deploring the actual sonority of great music subordinated to excessive blasts of interpretation. There is an old Rogers & Hart song entitled: "Don't Bury The Tune" and it kept recurring to me as I listened to Bell - not precisely 'burying the tune' but gussying it up with so many effusions of musical expertise that one became more aware of the 'variations' than the 'theme' which gave birth to them. Bell's firs CD of violin classics is something of a masterpiece, and what makes it so is fidelity to the notes as the composers wrote them. Ultimately, 'fantasy' is the right noun for this second CD. However these are not 'fantasies', they are precious, workmanlike examples of outstanding American music and deserve to be treated as the gems they are. Polished yes, but not rethreaded into garish costume jewelry.
Charles Marowitz
For Joshua Bell Lovers Aug 04, 2007
Great album with top director, London Phil. and Joshua Bell.... and Gershwin played like you never heard before.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Bell & Gershwin May 20, 2007
Two of my faves, George Gershwin and Joshual Bell -
Can't beat that!
Also, "Porgy" is a fave opera... so three out of three isn't bad!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Enchanting Mar 24, 2007
A very talented (to say the least) young musician playing the beautiful music of a very talented composer. I listen over and over again and especially like his rendition of "Embraceable You" and "But Not For Me" . . I'm a romantic!
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