Musical Feast: Chip Reflects on “Rhapsody”

Chip Kaufman is back by popular demand and just in time to entertain you about George Gershwin, one of the composers featured in the upcoming Masterworks concert. If you don’t already know Chip from his work at WCQS, from his informative Symphony Talks and from “Behind the Notes”, here is a great opportunity to become acquainted with his vast knowledge of music and his ready wit.

This event will focus on the film, “Rhapsody in Blue”, which was released in June, 1945. It stars Robert Alda as George Gershwin and Oscar Levant as himself. The movie also features Joan Leslie, Alexis Smith and Charles Coburn. It received two Academy Award nominations: Best Sound Recording (Nathan Levinson) and Best Musical Scoring (Ray Heindorf and Max Steiner). The film has been called, “A monumental collection of nonsense”. But, is it? Chip will set the record straight for us.

Posana, a restaurant on historic Pack Square downtown, is one of the latest established by Executive Chef, Peter Pollay, and his wife, Martha. Having formed the Mandara Hospitality Group, Peter and Martha are involved in the explosion of new establishments catering to Asheville’s burgeoning tourist trade.

The restaurant specializes in high-quality foods in an excellent atmosphere with farm-to-table options that appeal to the Asheville taste. At this Feast, you’ll be offered choices from Posana’s elegant heavy hors d’oeuvres menu and a chance to relax with a glass of red or white wine.

This promises to be a fun evening with delicious food and more wonderful insights into the life of George Gershwin.