Mid-Week Music

 

In 1924, bandleader Paul Whiteman commissioned George Gershwin to write a jazz piece in concerto form for Whiteman's orchestra.  Gershwin had five weeks to compose the piece, since it was supposed to debut at an all-jazz concert in honor of Abraham Lincoln's birthday.  The rest, as they say, is history: this is the first recording of the immortal "Rhapsody in Blue," considered one of the defining compositions of the Jazz Age (this Hackwhacker is proud to have this 78 rpm recording, btw).  It's always a thrill to listen to this, especially knowing it's Gershwin himself at the piano.  Whiteman died on this day in 1967 at the age of 77.  Hope you enjoy this classic.

Sunday Reflection: Making Music

"Making music is actually little else than a matter of invention aided and abetted by emotion. In composing we combine what we know of music with what we feel." -- Composer George Gershwin, in a letter to Issac Goldberg, in "The Memory of All That" by Joan Peyser. 

Gershwin's classic orchestral pieces "Rhapsody In Blue" and "An American In Paris", his popular musicals "Strike Up The Band," "Porgy and Bess" and his songs "Fascinating Rhythm", "I Got Rhythm", and "Swanee" form an important part of the "American Songbook." Born on this day in 1898, he died of a brain tumor in 1937, leaving behind a giant musical legacy.

(photo: Getty Images)

Weekend Music Rhapsody

American composer George Gershwin was born on this date in 1898.  Counted among the great American composers of the 20th Century (along with Rodgers, Copland and Porter IMHO), Gershwin's full potential was cut short by his untimely death at age 38.  Nevertheless, he was an important contributor to the Jazz Age and popular music with such classic works as Porgy and Bess and An American in Paris, as well as standards such as Swanee, Someone To Watch Over Me, I Got Rhythm, Fascinating Rhythm, and They Can't Take That Away From Me.  But of all Gershwin's works, the one we most favor is the one he's probably best known for:  Rhapsody in Blue.  Here's the original 1924 recording, played by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, with Gershwin at the piano.  Enjoy your weekend.

Mid-Week Birthday Song

Tomorrow is the 115th anniversary of the birth of George Gershwin, one of America's greatest composers.  Gershwin, who tragically died at age 38, composed such classic songs as "Rhapsody in Blue," and "An American in Paris," which are included in the Great American Songbook.  His lovely 1926 ballad, "Someone To Watch Over Me," has been performed by artists from Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand to Sting and Lady Gaga.  Here is an instrumental version performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.