Rhapsody in Blue

[artsyalchemist]

So there's a showcase coming up in February.  I want to play something, but it has to be non-classical..so naturally anything I'm playing right now is out.  Then a thought occured to me.  Does anybody know if Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue counts as a classical piece or not?  I keep hearing both sides, and I'd like something more definitive..it's a really cool piece and I'd love to play it for the showcase.  So your thoughts?

[allthumbs]

I would say that it's a good choice. Rhapsody in Blue was originally written for solo piano and jazz band in 1924.

I think that it leans towards the jazz genre, although it's classification as such was much debated when it first appeared.

It's one of my favorite Gershwin pieces.

allthumbs

[nanabush]

Do it.  If you play it well, you will get a standing ovation 

[slobone]

Great piece and a real crowd pleaser. But I would check with the people to find out what they mean by non-classical. They may be expecting you to improvise in jazz or pop style, in which case RiB is probably more classical than what they're looking for.