Rhapsody in Blue

“Rhapsody in Blue” Gets a Revamp

Rhapsody in Blue – that jazz-infused orchestral marvel from one of America’s quintessential 20th century music makers, George Gershwin – has become a mainstay in the repertoire of many ensembles across the world. A quick review of WDAV’s playlist for the past year brings up more than thirty specific airings of this piece. The performance groups range from the Prague National Symphony to the Cleveland Orchestra to the City of London Sinfonia – among many others!

The following is a YouTube video featuring a very different kind of ensemble, Liquid Tension Experiment, performing this iconic piece of Americana:

And, while this version may not be to everyone’s taste, it certainly demonstrates the elasticity of Gershwin’s musical genius!

For a more traditional rendition featuring another American icon – Leonard Bernstein himself at the piano with the New York Philharmonic – check this video out:

WDAV Says Goodbye to Beloved Colleague and Friend Ruskin Cooper.

On Wednesday, July 18, Davidson lost a kindhearted and talented member of its community. Ruskin Cooper, Artist Associate for piano at Davidson College, passed away peacefully among his family after losing consciousness due to cardiac arrest.

To honor our friend, WDAV will be playing two of Ruskin’s own recordings in tribute:

Graceful Ghost Rag, by William Bolcom on Friday 7/20/12  at 4:53pm                      Rhapsody in Blue, by George Gershwin on Saturday 7/21/12 at 11am

Please join us in honoring this wonderful man. Ruskin will be greatly missed, and our condolences go out to his family.

To learn more about Ruskin’s many accomplishments and how to pay tribute to him yourself, check out this article from the Winston Salem Journal.