[USED:Cond.B] Rhapsody In Blue, Etc: Fazil Say(P)Masur / Nyp

Pianist Fazil Say has made a career of his enthusiastic, innovative interpretations of familiar music. In this tribute to George Gershwin, he brings great joy and love of the composer's beguiling melodies.
Say has extraordinary technical talent, but perhaps his greatest asset is his original way of hearing. His performance taps into the emotions deep within the music, and music as emotionally complex as Gershwin's provides him with endless inspiration. The difference in his two versions of "Summertime" is a perfect example: the first a slow, nostalgic stroll down memory lane; the second an upbeat, bossanova-infused celebration of the season's good times. He revels in the complexities of 'Rhapsody in Blue,' its many themes giving Say and the New York Philharmonic great inspiration.
Perhaps the greatest liberty taken by Say is the ingenious "'I Got Rhythm' Variations." His endless creativity shows off the fertile potential of Gershwin's lyrical compositions. As one variation blossoms into the next, Say proves the composer has far more potent tools than just rhythm in his bag of tricks.