Rhapsody In Blue

George Gershwin's music combines the various styles heard at the beginning of this century: Jazz, blues and even the classical music of Europe. Throughout his life he was aware of his musical background in New York.

He started working as a "songplugger" at the age of 15 and earned his living in a large music publishing house on 28th Street, the famous Tin Pan Alley. There he introduced songs by playing the unknown titles to interested customers and singing. His first success came with the musical "La La Lucille" and the song "Swanee", and so he began to climb the ladder of Broadway.

The big break came in 1924 when band leader Paul Whiteman asked him to write a comprehensive piece for piano and jazz band. This became the famous "Rhapsody in Blue". George Gershwin completed the piano version in just three weeks. Ferde Grofe, the arranger of Whiteman's Band, then wrote an arrangement for jazz band and piano, and later the most famous version for piano and symphony orchestra. Gershwin's versatility can be clearly heard in "Rhapsody in Blue". He combines rhythms and harmonies from American jazz and blues with a more "classical" style reminiscent of 19th century piano concertos in Europe.