George Gershwin His Life and His Rhapsody In

George Gershwin His Life and His Rhapsody In Blue

George Gershwin A Biography

George Gershwin Born on September 26, 1898 in New York 2 nd child and son to Morris and Rose Gershvin It wasn’t until his teenage years he changed his name to Gershwin Quickly grew to be an amazing pianist and composer

George Gershwin

In His Youth George was rambunctious and often got into trouble He had an ear for music at young age At age 10 became close friends with a talented violinist named Maxie Rosenzweig George loved listening to all music

The Piano 1910 Gershwin family bought a piano George shocked his family with talent He began taking lessons and he continued taking for the rest of his life Some teachers include: Edward Kilenyl, Rubin Goldmark, Henry Cowell, and Joseph Schillinger

Beginning of Career 1914 Left high school for Tin Pan Alley First published song: “When You Want ‘Em, You Can’t Get ‘Em; When you Have ‘Em, You Don’t Want ‘Em” Then worked for Max Dreyfus to promote career First smash hit “Swanee”

Popular Career George and brother Ira created many Broadway hits together Many great hits which include Porgy and Bess An American In Paris Rhapsody in Blue Concerto in F

Art Composition George’s cousin and artist, Henry Albert Botkin George learned and loved painting

Art Composition George drew over 100 pieces of art Collected other famous paintings and sculptures Favorite collected piece: Picasso’s Absinthe Drinker

Self-Portrait in a Checkered Sweater, 1936. Oil on board, 24 x 18 in. Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. , courtesy Ira and Leonore Gershwin Trust Self-Portrait in at Opera Hat, 1932. Oil on canvas, 29 x 20 in. Collection of Judy Gershwin, New York

End of Life 1937, headaches, memory problems, dizziness Tumor on the brain Died at age 38 on July 11, 1937 Many awards after death which included: 1985 Congressional Gold Medal (George and Ira) 1998 Polthumous Pulizer Prize for “Of Thee I Sing”

Rhapsody In Blue A Composition History

Before Rhapsody in Blue 1922 Paul Whiteman and George’s “Blue Monday” Whiteman known as “king of jazz” “Blue Monday” was a flop Whiteman was still impressed with George

Rhapsody in Blue Whiteman’s “Experiment In Modern Music” Asked George to prepare a piano concerto George declined, there was not enough time

Rhapsody in Blue Jan 4 th Newspaper announcement stated: George was already working on concerto George’s shock No choice, immediately began composition Only weeks to prepare

Inspiration Music came to George on a train to Boston In the words of George: “It was on the train, with its steely rhythms, its rattle-ty bang that is often so stimulating to a composer…” “I hear it as a sort of musical kaleidoscope of America— ”

Orchestration Ferde Grofe worked with George Grofe orchestrated the Rhapsody

Experiment In Modern Music Rhapsody in Blue premiered on February 12, 1924 New York’s Aeolian Concert Hall George improvised much of the piano roll Success! Boosted career and wealth Recorded multiple times

Arthur Dove’s Painting Arthur dove enjoyed the Rhapsody and other pieces by George Made abstract paintings of his music Painted two different canvases of the Rhapsody in Blue, Part I-George Gershwin

Rhapsody In Blue George created four-hands, two piano duet Had plans to complete his own orchestration Many musicians have played, re-orchestrated and rerecorded Rhapsody is well known throughout the US Played by 84 piano’s for 1984 Olympics

Rhapsody in Blue A Listening Guide

Beginning of the Rhapsody 0: 00 Famous 16 note clarinet glissando starts the song 0: 10 slow brass instruments begin to play with clarinet 0: 39 energy picks up and maintains a jazzy feeling There at least 5 themes introduced Some say there is a lack of form A few short piano solo’s

Middle of the Rhapsody 4: 12 A change in the music: block and stick, and brass The piano takes the stage Piano solo’s at 4: 55 -6: 33 and again from 6: 57 -8: 26 Many rhythm changes and strong dynamics Speed and skill with many glissando’s and trills A few sections with a ragtime rhythm

Latter Portion of the Rhapsody At 8: 27 Another change in music, slower, serene Shifting melody between different instruments Violins play a lullaby Then long crescendo’s and drum roll’s 10: 07 -11: 53 Piano plays a softer, slower solo, then switching to faster, stronger and more energy One long, forte, minor note with all of the instruments

The End 12: 49 trumpet glissando introduces a returning theme Many instruments playing Stronger, louder, more emotion and excitement 13: 16 The entire band plays loud, confident crescendo Trumpets play one long note to prepare for finale 13: 37 the band plays the last note: loud, strong and with all energy for a dynamic ending