Rhapsody in blue
With his trio, jazz pianist Paul Lay takes on one of George Gershwin’s major works.
About this event
Composed in 1924, Rhapsody in blue was first performed in a concert intended to bring classical music and jazz together in New York. Mission accomplished! Initially performed with a jazz band, the work—described as a “jazz concerto” for piano—was later arranged for orchestra, and its popularity endures a century later.
At the piano for the premiere, Gershwin played the solos without having written them down. In keeping with this spirit, Paul Lay improvises in turn in this virtuosic rhapsody. With his trio, he celebrates the 40th anniversary of Marseille Concerts—a way of honoring a longstanding friendship, built since his first appearance there more than fifteen years ago.
Performed by: Paul Lay trio.
