Gershwin at the Proms

The BBC Proms always show a breathtaking range of music,

and in this programme we're going to feature

the music of American jazz composer George Gershwin

from two classic Proms from recent years.

George Gershwin was remarkable.

He straddled the worlds of classical music, jazz, Broadway and opera,

to leave a legacy that is quintessentially American.

In today's programme we shall hear three example of Gershwin's range,

from two concerts that feature the BBC Concert Orchestra

conducted by Charles Hazlewood.

We start on Broadway,

and the overture to the musical Strike Up The Band.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Strike Up The Band - the overture from the Broadway musical from 1927

by George and Ira Gershwin -

played with considerable panache by

the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Charles Hazlewood.

We now come to Gershwin and opera -

a song from Porgy And Bess.

Porgy and Bess was premiered in 1935

on Broadway, but has long since been taken on

by major opera companies around the world.

So, from Porgy And Bess, we'll hear My Man's Gone Now,

a great lament, here given a new suit of clothes

by jazz composer and saxophonist Jason Yarde.

In this new instrumental arrangement, he's joined by

the Gwylim Simcock Jazz Trio on stage at the Proms

with the BBC Concert Orchestra

and Charles Hazlewood.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

My Man's Gone Now, performed by saxophonist Jason Yarde,

and arranged by him

for orchestra and jazz trio.

George Gershwin's great song of sorrow

lending itself to a particularly personal rendering.

Jason Yarde was accompanied by the Gwylim Simcock Trio

with the BBC Concert Orchestra and with Charles Hazlewood conducting.

Now let's hear Gershwin in concert hall mode.

Rhapsody in Blue is one of the great American compositions,

straddling jazz and classical techniques

in a rip-roaring virtuosic showpiece.

And here is Kevin Cole,

probably the definitive Gershwin interpreter,

to play the piano solo.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Rhapsody in Blue -

the swaggering American showpiece for jazz orchestra.

A fabulous performance there by Kevin Cole.

Cole is acclaimed as an authentic Gershwin interpreter.

When he was young, he played to many people who had known the composer,

and they were very moved

because his playing sounded so similar to Gershwin's own.

Charles Hazlewood conducted The BBC Concert Orchestra.

That brings to an end this programme of George Gershwin at the Proms.

From me, Katie Derham, goodbye.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd