Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris

Categorizing music that I like into specific genres does not work. How do I convey the enjoyment I get out of listening to Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" and The Rolling Stones "Midnight Rambler?" The enjoyment is equal, yet different.

The genre of classical music has garnered as many derogatory comments as jazz has in my lifetime, even though both genres are taught in school.

Well, I am a fan of classical and jazz music. Just as there is not one style of Rock or Pop music, there are many varieties of classical and jazz. Over the next few months, I am going to share my favorites and ones that influenced my interest the most.

Being part of the late "Boomer" generation, I was greatly influenced by The Beatles. My sister gave me the album "Something New" for my 10th birthday. I recall my friend Tom and I playing "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" over and over and over.

However, I had access to my parents' stereo (which for the day was good) and the few albums they had. The one that grabbed my attention was "Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue; An American in Paris" with Leonard Bernstein and the Columbia Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic. This recording is a smashing success due to the enthusiasm that pours out of the recordings. I still have that original LP, since my parents didn't listen to it.

One section of the American In Paris piece, I need to point out that is defining for me, starts at the 7:30 mark. The way the trumpet "swings" and "sways" is what I listen for in any other recording of this work.