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Extraordinary pieces of music performed in full by BBC orchestras.

Extraordinary pieces of music performed in full by BBC orchestras - a rare chance to explore each in-depth with those who bring it to life - the conductors and musicians.

Discovering... Rhapsody in Blue - George Gershwin

BBC Four

Josie d'Arby

Richard Bradley

Mathew Tucker

Claire Smith

Tricia Chacon

Lion Television

Michael O'Halloran

Joseph Tims

Discovering...: Series 1: Rhapsody in Blue - George Gershwin

Rhapsody in Blue - George Gershwin

18/11/2018

Series 1

BBC Four - Discovering..., Series 1, Rhapsody in Blue - George Gershwin

Performance and analysis of George Gershwin's iconic composition Rhapsody in Blue.

An analysis and full performance of Gershwin's salute to the city that never sleeps, exploring the improvisational approach and musical influences behind this iconic composition.

George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (1924) is a landmark in 20th-century music. Gershwin drew upon the jazz music enveloping New York City in the 1920s to create the 'American Sound', which would inspire generations of composers in years to come.

Josie D'Arby presents the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra with pianist Marc Andre Hamelin, conducted by Thomas Dausgaard, performing the piece in full from Glasgow's City Halls.

Through conversations with the Dausgaard, Hamelin and members of the orchestra, and interviews with jazz pianist and composer Julian Joseph and broadcaster, critic and biographer David Benedict, the programme delves deep into Gershwin's swinging salute to the city that never sleeps, exploring the composer's desire to be taken seriously beyond Broadway, and the improvisational approach which drew together so many different musical influences to create this iconic and and much-loved piece of music.

Discovering...: Series 1

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Four extraordinary pieces of music performed in full by BBC orchestras.

Four extraordinary pieces of music performed in full by BBC orchestras - a rare chance to explore each in depth with those who bring it to life - the conductors and musicians.

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Rhapsody in Blue - George Gershwin

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