Rhapsody In Blue Essay - 1252 Words

Rhapsody In Blue George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue is one of those timeless classics that is instantly recognizable to many people’s ears today, even ninety years after it was first introduced to the world. It is a piece that has found its way into contemporary movies and advertisements, making it likely as recognizable as Chopin’s Funeral March or Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. But unlike these two pieces of iconic classical music, Rhapsody in Blue â€Å"resists classification.†1 In it are elements of classical music, blues and jazz, making it at once â€Å"Gershwin’s most famous piece† but also â€Å"possibly his least understood composition.†2 Indeed, while Rhapsody became a popular hit in the†¦show more content†¦No doubt that the jazz elements can be viewed as the popular side of the piece, with the classical elements being the serious side. This combination, however, would prove to be a source of controversy for critics. While few could argue against Rhapsody’s merits as a popular hit, many argued against its validity as a high art form, with even Leonard Bernstein writing for The Atlantic in 1955: Rhapsody in Blue is not a real composition in the sense that whateverShow MoreRelatedEssay about Rhapsody in Blue661 Words   |  3 Pageshe composed his first published song entitled â€Å"When You Want ’Em You Can’t Get ’Em†. From 1920 to 1924, he composed for an annual production put on by George White. Legend has it that he actually composed what most say is his greatest work, Rhapsody in Blue, in a rush because he had forgotten about the performance. About ten years later, he wrote one of the most famous American operas called Porgy and Bess. Many people say it is â€Å"considered to not only be Gershwin’s most complex and best-knownRead MoreGeorge Gershwins Rhapsody in Blue Essay examples780 Words   |  4 PagesBroadway shows and opera. He composed â€Å"Swanne,† which is the first nationally successful piece and â€Å"Blue Monday†, which is a jazz opera piece in 1919 and he became really popular. In 1924, George Gershwin and his older brother Ira worked together and made the musical comedy â€Å"Lady Be Good† and it was performed on Broadway. He also composed his first classical and most famous piece â€Å"Rhapsody in Blue† in the same year. It is his most famous piece and the piece made him a celebrity and appeared on TimeRead MoreA tribute to Patsy Cline700 Words   |  3 Pageseyes shining bright with passion for the music and doing what he loves. Mr. Shram conducted as the symphony began to play their first number written by George Enesco when he was only nineteen years old, Rumanian Rhapsody in A major, Op. eleven, No. One. Written in 1901, this rhapsody is one of Enescos best known compositions. The score for this lively drinking song calls for two flutes, a piccalo, two oboes, an english horn, two clarinets, two bassoons, four french horns, four trumpets, threeRead MoreMusical Progress Essay1055 Words   |  5 Pagesprogress. The progress that the two composers made can be heard through their profound ability’s to both borrow themes or styles from different genres and make a body of music original. The works of both Gershwin and Stravinsky particularly Rhapsody in Blue and Histoire de Soldat epitomize, in their respective time periods music at the cusp of musical progress. Stravinsky was an accomplished composer of his time period, while many questioned him and his changes in style. But many of his changesRead MoreTHE TIMES OF GERSHWIN Essay1207 Words   |  5 PagesGeorge Gershwin is one of the most celebrated composers of modern times. He is Famous for bridging the gap between Jazz and Classical music, and developing a new kind of popular music that held a genuine, American voice. With such pieces as his Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F he has become the most widely played American composer of all time. Although he boats having one of the most recognizable names in modern music, many people do not truly know the story behind it all. The Early Years HisRead MoreMusic in the Great Gatsby Film Remake605 Words   |  2 Pagesâ€Å"Young and Beautiful† by Lana Del Rey, a modern day song, was best chosen for the love scenes and can be a song that tells about Daisy’s perspective. Another piece of music which was composed in the time period of when this story is told is â€Å"Rhapsody in Blue† by George Gershwin. Its power, grandeur, as well as elements of surprise fit very well in several scenes in the movie. â€Å"Young and Beautiful† by Lana Del Rey, a modern day song, was best chosen for the love scenes and can be a song that tellsRead More George Gershwin Essay1643 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican composers of the 1920’s. In this paper I will discuss Gershwin’s life as a child and his upbringing and how his music expressed the dreams of every American Citizen by mixing different styles of music like Jewish, black, jazz, classical, blues and put them into one genre and created absolute music. George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 26, 1898. As the son of immigrant parents, Georges father had many jobs, so they were forced to live in many locations. GeorgeRead MoreEssay about The Ultimate Collection by George Gershwin635 Words   |  3 Pagesout of two CDs; the first cd is Gershwins pieces sung by different jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby and more#8230; The second cd, is Gerswhins famous pieces taken from musical shows such as Porgy and Bess, Rhapsody in Blue, Cuban overture, Funny face and more. First Cd: The cd starts with the song Strike up the Band performed by Oscar Peterson. The piece consists of a piano, cello. This song in my opinion setsRead MoreGeorge Gershwin Essay examples970 Words   |  4 Pagesthis time, Gershwin composed his first operetta, Blue Monday. It impressed Paul Whiteman, a famous bandleader, so much that he asked Gershwin to compose a symphonic jazz piece. At this time, however, Gershwin was still busy composing for White and forgot to compose for Whiteman until only one month before the scheduled performance. During this rushed creation, Gershwin found inspiration to create his most famous individual piece, Rhapsody in Blue. At its first performance, the piece was loved byRead MoreEssay on George Gershwin (1898-1937)1254 Words   |  6 Pagesdeal of improvising. Interesting enough, Gershwins musical interest in jazz and blues has created a new style of American music known by all today. Gershwin wrote many great works of art. A few of his most popular works, which gained a lot of their popularity after his death, would include: When you want em you cant get em, when you got em, you dont want em; Swanee; Porgy and Bess; Rhapsody in Blue; and Blue Monday. In 1916, Gershwin published his first song called When you want