Download Mindy Andersen History of: “Rhapsody of Blue” Oliphant The History

Mindy Andersen
History of: “Rhapsody of Blue”
Oliphant
The History of “Rhapsody in Blue”, by: George Gershwin
“Experiment in Modern Music”, was the phrase for the popular song “Rhapsody in
Blue”, by: George Gershwin (Kirshon). This musical experiment turned into a stunning success.
Gershwin would have a reputation where he would be very well-known from composing this
piece. “Rhapsody in Blue” is the most popular and recognized piece of music Gershwin has
composed (sfcv.org). Gershwin was one of the greatest well-respected composers of the 20th
Century (Kirshon). He had a talent where he could compose any type of music, whether it be
opera, Broadway or Jazz music (Bio. True Story).
A gentleman named Paul Whiteman, who was the organizer of Palais Royal Orchestra
(Kirshon) asked Gershwin to compose a jazz mixed with classical music piece, called a jazz
concerto, for an upcoming performance ("History Engine: Tools for Collaborating Education and
Research"). Gershwin had forgotten about the request until his brother, Ira Gershwin, picked up a
New York Tribune paper and read an article entitled, “What is American Music?” The article
stated that there would be a new composition by George Gershwin (("History Engine: Tools for
Collaborating Education and Research" and Bio. True Story). On January 7, 1924, Gershwin
frantically started to compose the Jazz piece that was requested by Whiteman. He had until
February 12, 1924 to write the piece. Gershwin was on a train to Boston where he wrote
“Rhapsody of Blue”. He stated, “It was on the train, with its steely rhythms, its rattle-ty bang,
that is so often so stimulating to a composer- I frequently hear music in the very heart of the
noise…And then I heard, and even saw on paper-the complete construction of the Rhapsody,
from beginning to end”. ("History Engine: Tools for Collaborating Education and Research")
“The audience packed a house that could have been sold out at twice the size”, the New
York Times writer Olin Downes wrote (History.com). On February 12, 1924 George Gershwin
joined an orchestra at Aeolian Hall in New York City to play his new music composition
(Kirshon). This concert was to show people that the new form of “Jazz” music should be
respected as a form of music (History.com). The show featured popular composers such as
Rachmaninoff and Sousa ("History Engine: Tools for Collaborating Education and Research").
After the audience heard twenty-four new pieces they were starting to become impatient. Then
out came the composer that everyone knew as a Broadway musical composer. Gershwin sat
down at the piano and there he created musical history (Kirshon). This performance would end
up putting Gershwin into the popular spot light for a well-respected musical composer of the 20th
Century.
“Rhapsody in Blue” was recorded twice. First time was with Paul Whiteman’s
Orchestraon June 10, 1924 (Sfcv.org and Kirshon). This recording sold over one million copies.
Two of the original recording is still around today. There have been remakes of the piece by: the
Columbia Jazz band in 1976, Maurice Peress with Ivan Davis, and Michael Tilson Thomas
(Kirshon). This music has been heard in the 1984 Olympics, airline commercials, movies, and
even a female barbershop quartet (Sfcv.org). There hasn’t been a performance that has been able
to match the first time Gershwin played “Rhapsody in Blue”.
Work Cited
"Composer of some of the most beloved concert works
of the 20th century, along with dozens of familiar jazz standards. ." sfcv.org. sfcv.org.
Web. 15 Feb 2013.
<http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/articles/gershwin/biography.php>.
Sfcv.org
"George Gershwin.biography synopsis." Bio. True
Story. The Biography Channel Website. Web. 15 Feb 2013.
<http://www.biography.com/print/profile/george-gershwin-9309643>.
("Bio. True Story")
"Rhapsody in Blue", by George Gershwin, performed for the first time." History.com. A&E
Television Networks, LLC. , n.d. Web. 22 Feb 2013. <http://www.history.com/this-day
in-history/rhapsody-in-blue-by-George-Gershwin"Rhapsody in Blue". History Engine: Tools for Collaborating Education and Research.
University of Richmond, n.d. Web. 22 Feb 2013.
<http://historyengine.richmond.edu/episodes/view/5427>.
Kirshon, John. "Rhapsody in Blue" Premiers Examiner.com
Clarity Digital Group, LLC. , 12 Feb 2013. Web 22 Feb 2013.