So as I’m sure you college students all know, it is almost time for finals. Personally, I have four exams in the next two weeks (yippee), so I might make this piece a little shorter than normal. But don’t worry, I’m still going to talk about a fascinating composer! Also, since it’s almost the end of these posts, I guess I will, with a heavy heart, move away from Romantic era composers and talk about more contemporary ones. George Gershwin it is!

Of course, George Gershwin was your average, run-of-the-mill, Russian Jewish American child piano prodigy. So common in the 1900s, right? He is also one of the most famous American composers. Europe typically dominated classical music, but by blending classical themes with American-style jazz, Gershwin created a unique contemporary sound that made him famous. His music teacher recognized this talent when he was a teen, and he was turned away by classical teachers in Europe because they didn’t want to spoil his inventive style with outdated classical training.

 

Gershwin began his career in Tin Pan Alley, the pop music publishing center of the world in the early twentieth century. He also worked as a rehearsal pianist for Broadway, a precursor to his illustrious career of writing musicals. His first hit was “Swanee,” which he wrote in ten minutes on a bus. I feel like that’s equivalent to me writing my (hypothetical) math thesis in a day. Basically pure genius.

 

After “Swanee” became a big hit, Gershwin turned to writing music for Broadway musicals in partnership with his brother, Ira, the lyricist. Together, they wrote Lady Be Good, Oh Kay!, Funny Face (starring Fred Astaire), and Of Thee I Sing, which was the first comedy to win the Pulitzer Prize. While writing musicals, Gershwin led a “double life” as he tried to focus on classical composing as well.

 

Gershwin’s first major classical piece, although music critics didn’t really consider his jazz-infused style “classical,” was Rhapsody in Blue, one of my absolute favorites (the opening clarinet glissando still gives me the chills). However, Gershwin didn’t even know he had to write it in the first place! An article in a New York newspaper announced that he was supposedly working on a new jazz piece to be performed with Paul Whiteman, the “King of Jazz,” just a month from the date of the article. This was news to Gershwin, who was also working on his comedy, Sweet Little Devil, that was opening in a couple weeks. Luckily, Whiteman only required Gershwin to write a piano score instead of the orchestral parts.

 

So naturally, the genius composed a two-piano score in less than a month. The work premiered in front of the famous composers Rachmaninov and Stravinsky as well as the well-known conductor Leopold Stokowski. Rhapsody in Blue became one of the hallmarks of American classical music; its syncopated rhythms and intricate melodies still fascinate audiences today.

 

One year later, Gershwin composed his Piano Concerto in F, which again blended jazz and classical styles. He also wrote An American in Paris while he was, in fact, an American living in Paris for a short time in the 1920s. Perhaps his most famous and ambitious piece is the folk opera Porgy and Bess, which happens in a fictional neighborhood in South Carolina. Although it was a flop at the box office, it is now considered one of the most important American operas. Then Gershwin moved to Hollywood to write for movies, including Shall We Dance, which featured Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, two big-name actors of the day.

 

While in Hollywood, Gershwin planned to move back to New York to continue his classical career. However, he developed a brain tumor and died at the young age of 38. What was it with these people dying young?! He had so much left to live for. What a disturbing classical trend. However, I hope you remember Gershwin for his amazing music, not just the fact that he died before turning 40. He truly was a pioneer of jazz and American classical music like no other. Plus, he not only wrote music for orchestras, he also composed for the general public with his comedic musicals. His music (as you might find out when you listen to it) sounds like it could’ve been written maybe fifteen years ago – it’s modern yet classy and continues to be relevant today.

 

I guess I lied about this being a shorter post. I just got into writing about Gershwin as I found out more about him and his music. What can I say, he’s a pretty cool dude. I hope you think so too!

 

Here are some more links to his pieces for further listening:

“Swanee” (Original Piano Melody – this is something we all could dance to)

Of Thee I Sing Overture (and if you’re intrigued, listen to the rest of the musical!)

“It Ain’t Necessarily So” from Porgy and Bess

 

And of course, our meme of the week!

 

Here are my references:

“George Gershwin Remembered.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 29 Sept. 2015, www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/george-gershwin-about-the-composer/65/.

Hopkin, Owen. “Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue – the Story behind a Hastily Composed Masterpiece.” Classic FM, Global, 21 Aug. 2012, www.classicfm.com/composers/gershwin/guides/story-behind-gershwins-rhapsody-blue/.

Weinberg, Rob. “George Gershwin: 15 Facts about the Great Composer.” Classic FM, Global, 21 July 2013, www.classicfm.com/composers/gershwin/guides/gershwin-facts/.