I didn't watch the Super Bowl half-time show - so this post is not a comment on Bad Bunny or his music. I did, however, hear Charlie Puth's rendition of the national anthem - and Kenny G's jazzy cameo - so that may have an influence in tonight's post. But more than all that, today is the 102nd anniversary of the debut of George Gershin's Rhapsody in Blue...
The psalmist tells us, Lord, to praise you
with the sound of the trumpet,
with harp and lyre,
with timbrel and dancing,
with strings and pipe
with the clash of cymbals
- with resounding cymbals!
It seems that all kinds of instruments
might render you fitting praise,
that all manner of music
might give the glory
that's due your holy name!
Perhaps, then, Lord - a clarinet, too!
A licorice stick of sensuous sound,
dark and woody in its soulful depths,
bright and clear in its highest range,
a vox humana singing out
as though possessed of its very own soul...
All sounds praise you, Lord!
All sounds voice the wisdom of your Word:
echoing through your universe,
age after age upon age,
in ripples gently reaching
to the depths of every human heart...
For instruments, then, of every kind,
all genres, be they old or new;
for nature's grand orchestral score
conducted by your Spirit;
for the song that sings
within my soul,
I thank you, Lord, and lift my voice
to glorify your name!
Protect me, Lord while I'm awake
and watch over me while we sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Here's one musician's take on Gershwin's piece - I'm a big fan of Charles Cornell!
And here's what some believe to be the best performance ever: Earl Wild at the piano with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler conducting (1959). Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershin
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