Lucas Debargue: Gershwin Variations album review
(Sony) Alongside supple and distinctive accounts of Rhapsody in Blue and the Piano Concerto and Preludes, the French pianist showcases his jazz chops in reinterpretations of Gershwin’s timeless songs
TL;DR
- Lucas Debargue's new album features George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and Piano Concerto.
- Debargue created a dozen original études based on Gershwin songs, reinterpreting them in various styles.
- These reinterpretations include 'Embraceable You' as a rumba, 'Fascinating Rhythm' as a waltz, and 'It Ain't Necessarily So' as a Bach-flavoured Fantasie, Chaconne and Fugue.
- The album's rendition of Rhapsody in Blue uses Gershwin’s solo piano arrangement with Debargue's own improvised cadenzas.
- The Orchestre de Paris, conducted by Elim Chan, accompanies Debargue on the Piano Concerto in F.
- Debargue is admired for his maverick approach and music that transcends time and place.