Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy
Major Arjen Tien, conductor
George Gershwin; piano (roll)
Jan Bouman: pianola
From Channel Classics
CCS-42920
The third CD of this excellent series by the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy features a most varied selection of American band works. Aaron Copland is represented three times with Fanfare for the Common Man, Variations on a Shaker Melody and the challenging Emblems. Works by Robert Russell Bennett, Samuel Barber, John Corigliano, Charles Ives and Stephen Melillo are also included. As for the performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue the piano soloist is the composer; courtesy of an authentic, registered piano roll with Jan Bouman providing valuable detailing and enhancement via a pianola. Program notes will explain more. Pay special attention to Gershwin’s very interpretative piano playing and be prepared for a surprise or two along the way. All three recordings in this series are true gems and shouldn’t be missed.
