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George Gershwin (1898 – 1937) was an American composer and pianist. His compositions include both popular and classical music, and many of his melodies are widely known. He wrote most of his vocal and theatrical works, including more than a dozen Broadway shows, in collaboration with his elder brother, lyricist Ira Gershwin (1896 – 1983).
George Gershwin composed music for both Broadway and the classical concert hall, as well as popular songs that brought his work to an even wider public. His compositions have been used in several films and on television, and many became jazz-standards. Numerous singers and musicians have recorded Gershwin songs. His most ambitious work was Porgy and Bess (1935), which is widely regarded as one of the most important American operas of the twentieth century.
Gershwin was influenced by French composers of the early twentieth century. In turn, the great French composer 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 suggest an influence of Ravel; and Ravel's two piano concertos and his Sonata for Violin and Piano suggest an influence of Gershwin.
Among George Gershwin's most famous works are:
- Rhapsody in Blue (piano and orchestra)
- Piano Concerto in F (piano and orchestra)
- An American in Paris (orchestra)
- Preludes for Piano
- Porgy and Bess (opera)
- Summertime (song from Porgy and Bess)
- I Got Plenty o' Nuttin (song from Porgy and Bess)
- It Ain't Necessarily So (song from Porgy and Bess)
- Lady, Be Good (Broadway musical)
- Fascinating Rhythm (song from Lady, Be Good)
- Oh, Lady Be Good (song from Lady, Be Good)
- Strike Up The Band (Broadway musical)
- Funny Face (Broadway musical)
- Show Girl (Broadway musical)
- Girl Crazy (Broadway musical)
- Of Thee I Sing (Broadway musical)
- A Damsel in Distress (film score)
- The Goldwyn Follies (film score)
George Gershwin was able to create music in his own unique voice. He took the jazz he found on Tin Pan Alley into the mainstream by splicing its rhythms and tonality with that of the popular songs of his era. He believed that "true music must reflect the thought and aspirations of the people and time. My people are Americans. My time is today."
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