Full Answer
How many works did George Gershwin write?
His music is still popular today.
What was the first Broadway musical of George Gershwin?
In 1918 and 1919 his work began appearing in Broadway productions, starting with Ladies First, to which Gershwin contributed music. By May 1919, Gershwin had his own first show on Broadway, La, La, Lucille, a musical farce.
What is George Gershwin most famous piece?
Rhapsody in BlueWriting at a furious pace in order to meet the deadline, Gershwin composed Rhapsody in Blue, perhaps his best-known work, in three weeks' time. Owing to the haste in which it was written, Rhapsody in Blue was somewhat unfinished at its premiere.
What was George Gershwin's most successful song?
Ironically, his most enduring and respected Broadway work, Porgy and Bess, was lukewarmly received upon its premiere in 1935.
What musicals did George and Ira Gershwin write?
In 1924, George and Ira Gershwin collaborated on a stage musical comedy Lady Be Good, which included such future standards as "Fascinating Rhythm" and "Oh, Lady Be Good!". They followed this with Oh, Kay! (1926), Funny Face (1927) and Strike Up the Band (1927 and 1930).
Who wrote Rhapsody in Blue?
George GershwinRhapsody in Blue / Composer
Why was it called Tin Pan Alley?
He wrote: “It gets its name from the tin-panny sounds of pianos that are banged and rattled there by night and day as new songs and old are played over and over into the ears of singing comedians, comic-opera prima donnas and single soubrettes and 'sister teams' from vaudeville.
Who was the leading composer of band music?
Who was the leading American composer and conductor of band music? The leading American composer and conductor of band music was John Philip Sousa (1854-1932), nicknamed the "march king." His best-known marches include The Stars and Stripes Forever, The Washington Post, and Semper Fidelis.
Why did Gershwin write Rhapsody in Blue?
It was about a concert of new American music to be given by Paul Whiteman and his Palais Royal Band at Aeolian Hall on 12 February - Abraham Lincoln's birthday. “George Gershwin is at work on a jazz concerto,” ran the article, “Irving Berlin is writing a syncopated tone poem…” It was all news to George.
Who was considered the father of American jazz?
Charles “Buddy” Bolden was a New Orleans cornetist who was active for a brief moment just before and after the turn of the 20th century.
What do composers call their first attempt at a song?
Overture. Which Russian late Romantic composer of symphonies and ballets never met his patron? Tchaikovsky.
Which classical genre does Rhapsody in Blue most closely resemble?
Rhapsody in BlueGenreOrchestral jazzFormRhapsodyComposedJanuary 1924PublishedJune 12, 1924 Harms, Inc.11 more rows
What were George Gershwin’s jobs?
George Gershwin made piano rolls for player pianos, played the piano in nightclubs, demonstrated sheet music for a music publishing company, and wo...
How did George Gershwin die?
George Gershwin died of a brain tumour at the age of 38.
What did George Gershwin compose?
With his lyricist brother Ira, George Gershwin composed numerous popular songs (such as “Embraceable You” and “They Can’t Take That Away from Me”),...
Why is George Gershwin important?
George Gershwin is important for his great talent as a melodist in both popular and classical genres and for his chamber and orchestral works that...
What is the Gershwin musical?
The Gershwin Musicals – A Full List of Major Works. The Gershwin brothers play a large role in music/musical theatre history. The two wrote almost exclusively together and really helped shape the direction of musical theatre in the jazz age.
Who wrote the music for An American in Paris?
An American in Paris (2014) Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Book: Craig Lucas. Based on the 1951 film of the same name, An American in Paris incorporated songs from the Gershwin Brothers and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 2015! Musical Info ➝. Don’t miss out!
Who wrote the lyrics to "Of thee I sing"?
Of Thee I Sing (1931) Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Book: George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind. Another great success of the Gershwin brothers, Of Thee I Sing ran for 441 performances on Broadway and was the first musical to receive the Pulitzer Prize for drama! Musical Info ➝.
Who wrote the music for Tip Toes?
Tip-Toes (1925) Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Book: Guy Bolton, Fred Thompson. For the Gershwin brothers’ second collaboration, Tip-Toes did relatively well on Broadway and premiered in 1924. It was also made into a silent film in 1927. Musical Info ➝.
Is Porgy and Bess still popular?
Porgy and Bess was and still is a massively successful opera that’s one of the best-known and most frequently performed today. Its film adaptation and stage revivals have won countless awards over the years, making this one of the brothers’ most popular works on the list. Musical Info ➝.
Who was Gershwin's musical director?
In the late 1910s, Gershwin met songwriter and music director William Daly. The two collaborated on the Broadway musicals Piccadilly to Broadway (1920) and For Goodness' Sake (1922), and jointly composed the score for Our Nell (1923). This was the beginning of a long friendship.
Who composed the first major work of George Gershwin?
Musical, Europe and classical music, 1924–1928. George Gershwin, c. 1935. In 1924, Gershwin composed his first major work, Rhapsody in Blue, for orchestra and piano. It was orchestrated by Ferde Grofé and premiered by Paul Whiteman 's Concert Band, in New York.
How many piano rolls did George Gershwin record?
Early in his career, under both his own name and pseudonyms, Gershwin recorded more than one hundred and forty player piano rolls which were a main source of his income. The majority were popular music of the period and a smaller proportion were of his own works. Once his musical theatre-writing income became substantial, his regular roll-recording career became superfluous. He did record additional rolls throughout the 1920s of his main hits for the Aeolian Company's reproducing piano, including a complete version of his Rhapsody in Blue .
How much did George Gershwin make in 1913?
See media help. In 1913, Gershwin left school at the age of 15 to work as a " song plugger " on New York City's Tin Pan Alley. He earned $15 a week for Jerome H. Remick and Company, a Detroit-based publishing firm with a branch office in New York.
What was George Gershwin's last name?
He soon became known as George, and changed the spelling of his surname to 'Gershwin' around the time he became a professional musician; other family members followed suit. After Ira and George, another boy, Arthur Gershwin (1900–1981), and a girl, Frances Gershwin (1906–1999), were born into the family.
Where was George Gershwin born?
On September 26, 1898, George was born in the Snediker Avenue apartment. His birth certificate identifies him as Jacob Gershwine, with the surname pronounced 'Gersh-vin' in the Russian and Yiddish immigrant community. He was named after his grandfather, and, contrary to the American practice, no middle name. He soon became known as George, and changed the spelling of his surname to 'Gershwin' around the time he became a professional musician; other family members followed suit. After Ira and George, another boy, Arthur Gershwin (1900–1981), and a girl, Frances Gershwin (1906–1999), were born into the family.
What was Gershwin's brain tumor?
In the early hours of July 11, doctors at Cedars removed a large brain tumor, believed to have been a glioblastoma, but Gershwin died on the morning of Sunday, July 11, 1937, at the age of 38.
What was Gershwin's first work?
Also in 1919, Gershwin composed his first “serious” work, the Lullaby for string quartet. A study in harmony that Gershwin composed as an exercise for Kilenyi, Lullaby ’s delicate beauty transcends its academic origins.
Who is George Gershwin?
George Gershwin, original name Jacob Gershvin, (born September 26, 1898, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.—died July 11, 1937, Hollywood, California), one of the most significant and popular American composers of all time. He wrote primarily for the Broadway musical theatre, but important as well are his orchestral and piano compositions in which he ...
What did Gershwin say about jazz?
Jazz, they said, had to be in strict time . It had to cling to dance rhythms.
Why is George Gershwin important?
George Gershwin is important for his great talent as a melodist in both popular and classical genres and for his chamber and orchestral works that ingeniously blend the forms and techniques of classical music with elements of popular song and jazz.
Who made piano rolls for players?
George Gershwin made piano rolls for player pianos, played the piano in nightclubs, demonstrated sheet music for a music publishing company, and worked as an accompanist and a Broadway rehearsal pianist. He thereafter made a living writing (with his lyricist brother Ira) popular songs and Broadway musicals and composing important ...
Who composed the Grand Canyon Suite?
The work, arranged by Ferde Grofé (composer of the Grand Canyon Suite) for either symphony orchestra or jazz band, is perhaps the most-performed and most-recorded orchestral composition of the 20th century. It is the only one of Gershwin’s major works that Gershwin himself did not orchestrate. Load Next Page.
Who included Gershwin's song in the passing show?
He began to attract the attention of some Broadway luminaries, and the operetta composer Sigmund Romberg included one of Gershwin’s songs in The Passing Show of 1916. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now.
How many songs did George Gershwin write?
George Gershwin, 1898-1937: He Wrote More Than 500 Songs. His music is still popular today. Transcript of radio broadcast: I'm Barbara Klein. And I'm Steve Ember with PEOPLE IN AMERICA in VOA Special English. Today we continue our report about the life and music of one of America's greatest composers, George Gershwin.
What made George Gershwin famous?
VOICE ONE: "Rhapsody in Blue" made George Gershwin famous all over the world. Several hundred thousand copies of the printed music sold immediately. Gershwin was satisfied that he had shown that jazz music could be both serious and popular. Gershwin also wrote an opera, "Porgy and Bess.
What is the opera Gershwin wrote?
Gershwin also wrote an opera, "Porgy and Bess. " It was based on a book by DuBose Heyward. It is a tragic love story about black Americans along the coast of South Carolina. "Porgy And Bess" opened in Boston, Massachusetts, in nineteen thirty-five.
How old was George Gershwin when he died?
VOICE TWO: George Gershwin died in nineteen thirty-seven, just days after doctors learned he had brain cancer. He was only thirty-nine years old. Newspapers all over the world reported his death on their front pages. Everyone mourned the loss of the man and all the music he might have written.
What song did Ethel Merman sing in the play?
She became one of the most celebrated performers in America. In the play, Ethel Merman sang a song George Gershwin wrote just for her. It was called "I Got Rhythm. ". (MUSIC) VOICE TWO: Many songs that George Gershwin wrote for musical plays and movies have remained as popular as ever.
How old was George Gershwin when he wrote his first song?
As we reported last week, George Gershwin published his first song when he was just eighteen years old. During the next twenty years, until his death, he wrote more than five hundred more songs.
Why did Paul Whiteman organize a special concert?
In nineteen twenty-four, jazz musician and orchestra leader Paul Whiteman decided to organize a special concert to show that jazz was serious music. George Gershwin agreed to compose something for the concert before he realized how little time he had to do it. The concert was just a few weeks away. Gershwin got busy.
Where did George Gershwin study composition?
An American in Paris . In the mid-1920s, Gershwin stayed in Paris for a short period, during which he applied to study composition with the noted Nadia Boulanger - pictured - who, along with several other prospective tutors such as Maurice Ravel, rejected him.
What are some interesting facts about George Gershwin?
George Gershwin: 15 facts about the great composer. George Gershwin wrote great songs and shows for the theatre, but he always fancied himself as a serious composer. And he was - in fact, one of the 20th century’s greatest. 1. Humble origins.
How old was George Gershwin when he died?
An operation was unsuccessful, and Gershwin died on 11 July at the age of 38. 15. George Gershwin - a lasting legacy. From the opening clarinet glissando of Rhapsody in Blue to such standards as 'Embraceable You' and 'Someone to Watch Over Me', Gershwin's music has been part of our world for almost a century.
How long did it take Gershwin to write and orchestrate the song Shall We Dance?
It took Gershwin several months to write and orchestrate it.
What was Gershwin's career?
Hambitzer's efforts certainly paid off. 3. Tin Pan Alley. Gershwin began his career as a song plugger in New York’s Tin Pan Alley. To earn extra, he also worked as a rehearsal pianist for Broadway singers.
Where did Gershwin study Berg's score?
He studied the score of Berg’s Lyric Suite on a train from Vienna to Paris, and had the work played at several glamorous parties. Gershwin even hung an autographed photo of Berg in his apartment, alongside a picture of the boxer Jack Dempsey and a punch bag. 10.
What was Gershwin's first hit?
His first big hit was 'Swanee ', composed in 10 minutes on a bus. Not long afterwards, the singer Al Jolson heard it and recorded it. ‘Swanee’ sold a million sheet music copies, and an estimated two million records. It became the biggest-selling song of Gershwin’s career. 4.
What are the Gershwin brothers famous for?
But from 1924 until George’s death in 1937, the brothers wrote almost exclusively with each other, composing over two dozen scores for Broadway and Hollywood. Though they had many individual song hits, their greatest achievement may have been the elevation of musical comedy to an American art form. With their trilogy of political satires — STRIKE UP THE BAND, the Pulitzer Prize-winning OF THEE I SING, and its sequel, LET ’EM EAT CAKE (all three written with playwrights George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind) – they helped raise popular musical theatre to a new level of sophistication. Their now-classic folk opera, PORGY AND BESS (co-written with DuBose Heyward), is constantly revived in opera houses and theatres throughout the world. Concurrently with the Gershwins’ musical theatre and film work, George attained great success in the concert arena as a piano virtuoso, conductor, and composer of such celebrated works as RHAPSODY IN BLUE, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, and the CONCERTO IN F.
When did the Gershwins win the Gold Medal?
The United States Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Gershwins in 1985 (only the third time that songwriters had been so honored), and in 2007, the Library of Congress instituted the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
When did Ira Gershwin die?
In 1983, at the age of 86, Ira died in his Beverly Hills home. Today, the Gershwin catalog has been taken up by a younger generation who have delighted in vintage and contemporary recordings, revivals, and the “new” Gershwin musicals, MY ONE AND ONLY (1983) and the 1992 Tony Award winner for best musical, CRAZY FOR YOU.
Overview
Classical works
Note: All orchestral/operatic pieces are orchestrated by Gershwin unless otherwise specified.
• Lullaby (1919), a meditative piece for string quartet. Originally, a class assignment from his music theory teacher.
• Blue Monday (1922), a one-act opera featured in George White's Scandals of 1922 at the Globe Theatre, Paul Whiteman conducting, orchestrated by Will Vodery.
Overtures
• 1922 - Blue Monday*
• 1924 - Lady, Be Good!*
• 1925 - Tip-Toes*
• 1926 - Oh, Kay!**
• 1927/ rev. 1930 - Strike Up The Band***
Solo Works for Piano
• Tango, (1915) for solo piano. Written when he was 15.
• Rialto Ripples, (1917) a short ragtime piece for piano.
• Limehouse Nights (unknown date, early) a short ragtime piece for piano.
• Three-Quarter Blues, (1923) also known as the Irish Waltz.
Musical theater credits
Note: All works are musicals produced on Broadway unless specified otherwise.
• 1919 – La La Lucille (lyrics by Arthur Jackson, B. G. DeSylva and Irving Caesar)
• 1919 – Morris Gest's "Midnight Whirl" (lyrics by B. G. DeSylva and John Henry Mears)
• 1920 – George White's Scandals of 1920 (lyrics by Arthur Jackson)
Miscellaneous songs
• 1916 – When You Want ’Em, You Can’t Get ’Em (When You’ve Got ’Em, You Don’t Want ’Em) (lyrics by Murray Roth)
• 1917 – Beautiful Bird (lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Lou Paley)
• 1917 – When There's a Chance To Dance (lyrics by Ira Gershwin)
Musical films
Music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin
• 1923 – The Sunshine Trail (title song of silent film with accompaniment music)
• 1931 – Delicious
• 1937 – Shall We Dance
Overview
George Gershwin was an American pianist and composer, whose compositions spanned both popular and classical genres. Among his best-known works are the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American in Paris (1928), the songs "Swanee" (1919) and "Fascinating Rhythm" (1924), the jazz standards "Embraceable You" (1928) and "I Got Rhythm" (1930), and the opera Porgy …
Biography
Gershwin was of Russian-Jewish ancestry. His grandfather, Jakov Gershowitz, was born in Odessa (modern Ukraine) and had served for 25 years as a mechanic for the Imperial Russian Army to earn the right of free travel and residence as a Jew, finally retiring near Saint Petersburg. His teenage son Moishe, George's father, worked as a leather cutter for women's shoes. His mother, Roza Bruski…
Musical style and influence
Gershwin was influenced by French composers of the early twentieth century. In turn Maurice Ravel was impressed with Gershwin's abilities, commenting, "Personally I find jazz most interesting: the rhythms, the way the melodies are handled, the melodies themselves. I have heard of George Gershwin's works and I find them intriguing." The orchestrations in Gershwin's symphonic works ofte…
Recordings and film
Early in his career, under both his own name and pseudonyms, Gershwin recorded more than one hundred and forty player piano rolls which were a main source of his income. The majority were popular music of the period and a smaller proportion were of his own works. Once his musical theatre-writing income became substantial, his regular roll-recording career became superflu…
Compositions
Orchestral
• Rhapsody in Blue for piano and orchestra (1924)
• Concerto in F for piano and orchestra (1925)
• An American in Paris for orchestra (1928)
Legacy
Gershwin died intestate, and his estate passed to his mother. The estate continues to collect significant royalties from licensing the copyrights on his post-Rhapsody in Blue work. The estate supported the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act (that extended the U.S. 75-year copyright protection an additional 20 years) because its 1923 cutoff date was shortly before Gershwi…
See also
• List of covers of Time magazine (1920s)
Further reading
• Alpert, Hollis. The Life and Times of Porgy and Bess: The Story of an American Classic (1991). Nick Hern Books. ISBN 1-85459-054-5
• Feinstein, Michael. Nice Work If You Can Get It: My Life in Rhythm and Rhyme (1995), Hyperion Books. ISBN 0-7868-8220-4
• Jablonski, Edward. Gershwin Remembered (2003). Amadeus Press. ISBN 0-931340-43-8