Herbie Hancock and Lang Lang

Rhapsody in Blue

Joe Mantegna — a theater actor — introduces this fusion of classy genres. It's probably the only time all year a network audience will be exposed to a Gershwin piece that's not being used to sell something, but the performance doesn't feel worthy or dull thanks to the clash between Hancock's delicate jazz fingering and the clawing, mauling style of Lang Lang.

— by Josh Tyrangiel