Vyacheslav Gryaznov, ORF-Radio Symphonieorchester Wien, Wayne Marshall
AP418 - 1CD - 61' - Mar 20, 2026
With Rhapsody in Black, Gryaznov masterfully continues the story of Porgy and Bess.
After Bess’s departure, what becomes of Porgy? Having fallen in love with Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, the brilliant pianist and arranger Vyacheslav Gryaznov decided to answer this question by taking up the opera’s themes. With Rhapsody in Black, a concerto for piano and orchestra, he picks up the story where the opera leaves off: Bess in New York, Porgy following in her footsteps.
Neither a pastiche nor a simple arrangement, Rhapsody in Black reclaims Gershwin’s legacy by blending electrifying improvisations, big-band sonorities, and poetic ballads. With this New York fresco, complemented by Rhapsody in Blue, Gryaznov creates an extraordinarily vibrant diptych, superbly brought to life by the Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien and Wayne Marshall, a leading specialist and outstanding interpreter of Gershwin.
George Gershwin (1898-1937)
1. Rhapsody in Blue
George Gershwin & Vyacheslav Gryaznov
Rhapsody in Black (On Themes from Porgy and Bess)
2. I. Day In New York
3. II. Night. Bess
4. III. Bess And Porgy
