2/12/24: 100 years of Rhapsody in Blue

2/12/24: Today is the 100th birthday of one of America’s greatest compositions: Rhapsody in Blue. George Gershwin premiered it in New York on Feb. 12, 1924, with Paul Whiteman and his Palais Royal Orchestra. The piece has been close to my heart for many years. Ironically, at first, I didn’t like it much — seemed simple-minded and naive. Then I played it with conductor Mitch Miller, who some of you may remember from the TV show “Sing Along With Mitch.” In his early years, Mitch had been an oboist, and played in an orchestra that toured with Gershwin in the mid-30’s. They played Rhapsody in Blue, Concerto in F and Variations on I Got Rhythm. Mitch gave me lots of insights into the piece and how to play it. I now never tire of the work. It captures so much that I love about our country — youthful optimism, the melting pot of cultures.

Here is a link to a recording I made of the piano-solo version:

Other than that, I must apologize for not writing any newsy posts recently. I have been swamped with concerts, computer-programming and inventions. I am still working with computer guru Gabe Johnson — we’ve been going on about 13 years together. Currently, we are focusing on improving the MoyerCam and developing music analysis software.

Besides that, I have been playing lots of concerts — 193 in 2023. 2024 will be just as busy — mostly solo recitals, but also some orchestra performances (Saint-Saens Concerto No. 2 and Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 3) and lots of jazz trio concerts with various bassists and drummers throughout the US. A very fulfilling life.

In January, I visited the NAMM show in Anaheim CA, an overwhelming cacophony of guitars, PA systems, music software, trumpets, pianos. It was great fun! Here I am checking out a clear grand piano from Kawai:

All the best,