Fascinating Rhythm
George and Ira Gershwin composed Fascinating Rhythm in 1924. In 1927, George arranged it for piano, filling his arrangement with brilliant musical ideas. Our arrangement scales those ideas up to full orchestra size in a swinging piece that features a vocalist and spectacular playing by the orchestra.
Title: Fascinating Rhythm
Composers: George and Ira Gershwin. Arranged by Tim Berens
Description: The feel for this swinging arrangement of Fascinating Rhythm was inspired by a 1926 recording of George Gershwin at the piano accompanying Fred Astaire and Adèle Astaire singing Fascinating Rhythm. The harmonies and inner voices were inspired by George Gershwin’s own 1927 arrangement of Fascinating Rhythm for piano, which is packed downbeat to double bar with brilliant ideas. These ideas are scaled up to full orchestra in our arrangement, and set atop a sweet, in-the-pocket swing groove.
If it sounds like you are listening to Gershwin when you hear this arrangement, it is because you are.
The arrangement begins with a spectacular opening, then a relaxed groove leads us to the verse out front, which is sung by the vocalist. The vocalist sings the first chorus, then the orchestra plays the second chorus. The first half of the second chorus opens with a simple statement of the melody.
In the second half, the ghost of George Gershwin takes over the arrangement as the musical ideas in Gershwin’s piano arrangement are brought to life. The haunting continues through an interlude and another full instrumental chorus. The vocalist takes over for the last chorus.
This arrangement sounds like one of Gershwin’s later writings for orchestra has been set to a swing groove. We believe he would approve of this chart.
Instrumentation: 2222/4331/Timp+2/Drum Set/Electric Bass/Guitar/Harp/Piano/Vocal Soloist/Strings
Length: 4:00
Rental Fee: $225.00 first performance. $75.00 per subsequent performance.
Video and Audio Recording by:
The Ohio Valley Symphony
Mandy Gaines, Vocals
Tim Berens, Conductor