George GershwinHis Life and His Rhapsody In Blue

George GershwinA Biography

George GershwinBorn on September 26, 1898 in New York

2nd 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 YouthGeorge 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 Piano1910 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 Career1914 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 CareerGeorge and brother Ira created many

Broadway hits together

Many great hits which includePorgy and BessAn American In ParisRhapsody in BlueConcerto in F

Art CompositionGeorge’s cousin and artist, Henry Albert Botkin

George learned and loved painting

Art CompositionGeorge drew over 100 pieces of art

Collected other famous paintings and sculptures

Favorite collected piece: Picasso’s Absinthe Drinker

Self-Portrait in at Opera Hat, 1932. Oil on canvas, 29 x 20 in. Collection of Judy Gershwin, New York

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

End of Life1937, 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 BlueA 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 BlueJan 4th Newspaper announcement stated:

George was already working on concerto

George’s shock

No choice, immediately began composition

Only weeks to prepare

InspirationMusic 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—”

OrchestrationFerde Grofe worked with George

Grofe orchestrated the Rhapsody

Experiment In Modern MusicRhapsody 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 PaintingArthur dove enjoyed

the Rhapsody and other pieces by George

Made abstract paintings of his music

Painted two different canvases of the Rhapsody in Blue

Rhapsody in Blue, Part I-George Gershwin

Rhapsody In BlueGeorge created four-hands, two piano duet

Had plans to complete his own orchestration

Many musicians have played, re-orchestrated and re-recorded

Rhapsody is well known throughout the US

Played by 84 piano’s for 1984 Olympics

Rhapsody in BlueA Listening Guide

Beginning of the Rhapsody0:00 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 are at least 5 themes introduced

Some say there is a lack of form

A few short piano solo’s

Middle of the Rhapsody4:12 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 RhapsodyAt 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 End12:49 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