Rhapsody in Blue cuts

[cubsfan334]

I'm going to be playing in a concerto competition in a few months -- however, you're only supposed to play 1 movement from a concerto or other piece for solo and orchestra -- the time limit is 15 minutes.  I've chosen Rhapsody in Blue, but to get it in the time limit I may have to cut a few sections.  I noticed that in Bernstein's and Previn's recordings they cut 2 small parts, namely sections 14 - 18 and 22 - 24.

Does anyone know anything about these cuts/would recommend cutting them?

[Bob]

I remember hearing a recording with cuts, probably the Bernstein one. 

Whatever you cut, I would prep the whole thing.  The ensemble you play it with might want different cuts, or they might want to play the whole thing.  Isn't it 17 minutes long? 

I vaguely recall reading a few times people criticizing Gershwin because he was just stringing melodies together, not a real form.  I would take that to mean you could cut whatever you liked. 

Maybe it's on youtube by now, but there's a scene with Rhapsody in Blue in the Disney Fantasia 2000 movie.  I wonder if they made cuts in that. 

[birba]

I play the solo version and I use those cuts.  They're Gershwin's indications.  I prefer the shorter version.  The result is much more concise and effective.
But perhaps for a competition you should prepare them anyway.  They aren't difficult to learn.  Just in case they ask you.  But certainly, if the limit is 15 minutes, and you're only supposed to present one movement anyway from a "normal" concerto, your choice is even more acceptable.

[thalbergmad]

Scrap the Gershwin and play the Weber Konzertstuck would be my advice.

Thal