Being a big fan of this song and segment of the movie, I've noticed that the Rhapsody in Blue recording on the soundtrack is different from the one in the movie. In many areas (such as the opening clarinet wail and the tempo of the final statement of the theme), it's very noticeable. Why are there two different recordings?
(And for the record, I much prefer the recording in the movie).
Here's how I understand it. Rhapsody in Blue was intended originally as a short subject, had nothing to do with Fantasia until Roy Disney decided that it belonged in there. At that time, a different conducter was used: Bruce Broughton (The Rescuers Down Under; Homeward Bound). That recording made it into the movie. I'm guessing James Levine conducted that for the CD soundtrack perhaps to make it more consistant for an album as there are no images being played on the CD itself. You probably also noticed that a different recording of the Sorcerer's Apprentice is used on the CD instead of Leopold Stokowski's performance. As it is, there's no visual of the piece playing on the CD, so once again James Levine steps in to help make it consistent as an album. It wouldn't work on film because the way the recordings are on the CD, there is absolutely no way they would match 100% with the film. Believe me. I've tried it once.
I hope that helps.
"HOPSCOTCH!"
It certainly does. Thanks a bunch!
Although I kind of wish they had used the Bruce Broughton recording on the CD, because like I said I still prefer it to the James Levine version, even without any accompanying visuals. It just sounds like a better quality performance to me.
I like it better too especially the slower opeining at the beginning.
"HOPSCOTCH!"