George Gershwin: Brilliant Composer of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’

Revered composer and pianist George Gershwin (Sept. 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) made enormous contributions to both American popular and classical music. Some of his best-known works are Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American in Paris (1928); the songs “Swanee” (1919) and “Fascinating Rhythm” (1924); the jazz standard “I Got Rhythm” (1930); and the opera Porgy and Bess (1935), which includes the song “Summertime.”
 
Quote: “All these tales of people sitting down and composing symphonies just as though they were writing a letter are very much exaggerated; at least, it isn’t that way in my work.” | “I want to say at once that I frankly believe that Irving Berlin is the greatest songwriter that has ever lived…. His songs are exquisite cameos of perfection, and each one of them is as beautiful as its neighbor. Irving Berlin remains, I think, America’s Schubert.”
 
Sources: Wikipedia, Brainy Quote
 
Learn more about George Gershwin on Wikipedia. >>
 
Watch a performance of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsoy in Blue” [18:03]. >>
 
Listen to “The Best of Gershwin” [58:42]. >>
 
Watch “Gershwin Documentary” [1:28:29]. >>
 
Photo: BBC