The Best Recording of Porgy and Bess

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 12:05pm

I don't own a recording of this score, and need help figuring out which to get. Any suggestions would be great.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 12:40pm

Houston Grand Opera is usually considered the best recording of the score.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 12:40pm

I've always heard the Houston Grand Opera version is the best. From several people who collect.

But since I don't own it, please take that with a grain of salt.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 12:40pm

The highlights album from 1963 with Leontyne Price and William Warfield is essential. Rather than just have Price do Bess' music, the producers wisely also had her do Clara's opening "Summertime" and Serena's stunningly dramatic "My Man's Gone Now" -- no one has EVER sung any of this music better than Price does on this recording (who at the time was a prima donna at The Met and at the peak of her very considerable powers). Warfield is a very solid Porgy, John Bubbles is a remarkably flavorful Sportin' Life and Skitch Henderson conducts the score with flair and dynamism. A must-own.

As for full length sets (and there are LOTS of them), I think the 1976 Houston Grand Opera recording with Clamma Dale and Donnie Ray Albert is all-in-all the finest overall -- gorgeously sung and conducted and it manages to really capture the feel and excitement of a live performance.

You might also consider getting the 1942 revival cast recording which features several of the original cast members from the 1935 world premiere. The sound isn't the best, perhaps, but Todd Duncan, the original Porgy who was hand-picked by Gershwin himself, remains, to my ear, unsurpassed in Porgy's music. His performance is rich, lively and electrifying and very much worth owning.

Updated On: 9/27/05 at 12:40 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/29/05 at 12:32pm

I can only find a Highlights disc of the Houston recording. Was there a 2 disc version as well?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/29/05 at 12:47pm

It's actually 3 discs:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000003EMO/qid=1128012355/sr=2-3/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_3/104-3545147-3891923?v=glance&s=music

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/29/05 at 12:53pm

Thanks Margo. I could only find the hightlights disc for some reason.

[HorseTears]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 6:20am

May I chime in with a recommendation for the stunning EMI recording of the 1989 Trevor Nunn/Glyndebourne Opera production? Recorded at the famed Abbey Road, The London Philharmonic Orchestra is masterfully conducted by the incomparable Sir Simon Rattle. Mr. Rattle is one our greatest living conductors and you can just sense that he felt this music in his bones! To my ears, the score has never sounded more vibrant or stirring as it does under his baton. The cast is just full of stunning singer-actors whose luminous voices are matched by their dramatic commitment. Harolyn Blackwell, Willard White, Cynthia Haymon are all stunning. Supposedly, the Glyndebourne Opera production, from which this recording was based, was widely seen as a great theatrical and musical accomplishment and every single artist from the members of the Philharmonic to the expansive chorus is so commited to this music that I find this recording to be an almost spiritual experience. Get this one!

You can find Used copies of the 3-disc set starting at $35 on Amazon.com.

Also, Tower Records is currently having a sale on all EMI Classical CDs.

Porgy & Bess - Glyndebourne Opera 1989 Cast at amazon.com

[Mythos]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:10am

The tempi of the Rattle recording are conducted much too fast. It's the same problem with his Wonderful Town recording. The music isn't allowed to breathe and loses impact as a result.


Updated On: 1/16/11 at 11:10 AM

[twogaab2]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 1:10pm

The RCA (Houston)recording is more theatrical. The London (Decca) is better sung. The RCA highlights with Lyontine Price is an essential supplimental disc.