Hailed as “rapturous and glowing” by International Record Review and “an inspirational and devoted pianist” by Life & Arts - Financial Times, Polish-Canadian pianist Daniel Wnukowski has performed throughout Europe, North America, South America and Asia in numerous international festivals. He has performed with many orchestras in Europe and North America and is an avid collaborator working with such artists at Daniel Hope, Jerzy Maksymiuk, Alain Trudel and Aleksandra Kurzak. Daniel Wnukowski inaugurated the 2017-year in Warsaw, Poland as a special guest at the National Philharmonic Hall, performing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”. On May 5, 2017, he performed at the Austrian Parliament for the Austrian president in remembrance of Holocaust victims targeted by Nazi Germany. He is the recipient of numerous scholarships and grants from numerous foundations for promoting the works of exiled composers of the 20th century.
Great question. The 1924 version was scored for brass and percussion, while the 1942 was scored for full orchestra, both by Grofé. The 1942 version has been the most popular choice for decades, but many artists are now returning to the 1924 jazz band scoring, finding it more dynamic and playful.
Most importantly welcome aboard 💙🤍….. as a ramp Agent for them I always play this to work or when I fly! United gave me my relationship and career to grow in!
Truly one of the great pieces ever written for the concert hall. I always get a thrill listening to the cacophony of sounds both shrill and atonal. It is altogether a marvelous work of art. Audiences at one time might have been totally shocked by the discordant sounds blaring at them.
There are many, many versions and each listener values one or the other according to his knowledge and feelings, so there is no "best" version for everybody. So far, this one is the one I've enjoyed most.
I think that after all these years, I have found a new favorite rendition of my favorite piece! For years and years I have enjoyed Oscar Levant and Eugene Ormandy's recording, but this performance really shines. Perfect attack and decay of every note, and the delicacy of Daniel V's piano technique is absolutely perfect. Not a note is slurred, his attention to the detail and emotion is - well, I am out of superlatives. And let's face it - If it ain't played on a Steinway, it ain't played! Simply Wonderful!
The brilliant 1924 arrangement of "Rhapsody in Blue" was written by the great Ferde Grofé (1892-1972)... who would later go on to compose the gorgeous "Grand Canyon Suite."
His magnificent performance is beyond description , and full of admiration and deep emotion , and comfortable to the ear and the mind By the way Without Handel , the composers after Handel would have been in great trouble . From Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵
Looking forward to your upcoming Chopin and other recordings Daniel! And as James said below, Bravo! Looking forward to seeing you when you perform next week in Squamish BC...
You may hear many new sound combinations and emphases, as I did, in this pianists playing. New is needed, with so many formulaic performances available. Bravo Daniel Vnukovski.
Listen to Josef Hofmann's performance as well, if you don't know it already.... You'd be surprised. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fqPN4gXy834.html
Incredible virtuosity and a stunning level of artistry. I can't believe Brahms thought of this as a "little work" when he wrote to his friend. No doubt, that was a bit tongue-in-cheek. There are so many emotional states expressed in this monumental concerto from absolute despair to heavenly exaltation.
