Transcript File

Music
1010
George Gershwin & Rhapsody in Blue
Jolena Childs
George
Gershwin
In the
beginning……
 Jacob (George) is born Sept. 26, 1898
In Brooklyn N.Y.
 Realizes he enjoys music at a
friends Violin recital at the
age of 10.
 At age 12 he Gets his 1st Piano
 Begins lessons with Charles Hambitzer
Tin Pan Alley
Gershwin drops out of school to work in
Tin pan Alley as a
“Song Plugger
First
Published
Songs
Swanee
Hits it Big
The George
White
Scandals
George
writes music
for 5 years
for the
George white
scandals
George & Ira
George and Ira's first song together, "The
Real American Folk Song (Is a Rag)," is
heard on Broadway in LADIES FIRST, sung
by Nora Bayes.
Paul Whitman
makes history
Rhapsody in
Blues is created
Historical
Background
“Devils Music”
Classical, Jazz, blues
The Big Night for
George
Awards and
Acknowledgements
1993 Olivier Award for Best Musical
1992 Tony Award for Best Musical
1938 Oscar Nomination for Best Music, Song :
THEY CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY
FROM ME from
:SHALL WE DANCE?
Some of his songs
AFRIC
AN SCENE
BLAH BLAH BLAH
FEELING SENTIMENTAL
ALL THE LIVELONG DAY
BLUE BLUE BLUE
FILL UP DE SAUCER TILL IT OVERFLOWS
AREN’T YOU KIND OF GLAD WE DID
BLUE MONDAY
FOGGY DAY
ASK ME AGAIN
BLUES, THE
FOR LILY PONS
BABBIT AND BROMIDE
DELISHIOUS
FOR YOU FOR ME FOR EVERYTHING
BACK BAY POLKA
DO WHAT YOU DO
FUNNY FACE
BAMBUCO AZUL
DON’T ASK
GIRL CRAZY
BARBARY COAST
DRIFTING ALONG WITH THE TIDE
GOLDWYN FOLLIES
BEAUTIFUL GYPSY
EMBRACEABLE YOU
GONE GONE GONE
BECAUSE BECAUSE
EVENING STAR
GOOD MORNIN SISTUH
BEFORE DAWN
FANTASIA ON THEMES
GOT A RAINBOW
BESS OH WHERE’S MY BESS
FANTASY ON GERSHWIN THEMES
HAIL HAIL THE RULER
BESS YOU IS MY WOMAN
FANTASY ON PORGY AND BESS
HALF OF IT DEARIE BLUES, THE
BEST OF EVERYTHING
FASCINATING RHYTHM
HANG ON TO ME
BIDIN MY TIME
FEELING I’M FALLING
HANGIN AROUND WITH YOU
HE KNOWS MILK
HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON
FOR YOU FOR ME FOR EVERYTHING
HE LOVES AND SHE LOVES
HURRICANE
FUNNY FACE
HELLO GOOD MORNING
I AIN’T GOT NO SHAME DOIN’ WHAT I LIKE
GIRL CRAZY
HE LOVES AND SHE LOVES
TO DO
GOLDWYN FOLLIES
HELLO GOOD MORNING
I CAN’T BE BOTHERED NOW
GONE GONE GONE
HERE COME DE HONEY MAN
I DON’T THINK I’LL FALL IN LOFE TODAY
GOOD MORNIN SISTUH
HERE THEY ARE
I GOT PLENTY O NUTTIN’
GOT A RAINBOW
HERE’S A KISS FOR CINDERELLA
I GOT RHYTHM
HAIL HAIL THE RULER
HI HO
FEELING SENTIMENTAL
HALF OF IT DEARIE BLUES, THE
HIGH HAT
FILL UP DE SAUCER TILL IT OVERFLOWS
HANG ON TO ME
HOMAGE TO GERSHWIN
FOGGY DAY
HOW ARE YOU THIS LOVELY MORNING
FOR LILY PONS
Film
Scores
1979 MANHATTAN
1977 THE CHOIRBOYS
1972 OF THEE I SING
1964 KISS ME, STUPID
1962 THE NOTORIOUS LANDLADY
1959 PORGY AND BESS
1957 FUNNY FACE
1956 THAT CERTAIN FEELING
1955 THREE FOR THE SHOW
1952 SOMEBODY LOVES ME
1951 AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
1948 YOU WERE MEANT FOR ME
1947 THE SHOCKING MISS PILGRIM
1946 THE MAN I LOVE
1945 RHAPSODY IN BLUE
1944 BROADWAY RHYTHM
1943 GIRL CRAZY
1943 SO’S YOUR UNCLE
1941 LADY BE GOOD
1940 STRIKE UP THE BAND
1938 THE GOLDWYN FOLLIES
1937 A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
1937 SHALL WE DANCE?
1934 THE FLAME SONG
1934 THE WORLD MOVES ON
1932 GIRL CRAZY
1931 DELICIOUS
1930 THE SONG OF THE FLAME
1930 THE KING OF JAZZ
1928 GUS ARNHEIM AND HIS
AMBASSADORS
Stage
Productions
CRAZY FOR YOU
February 19, 1992
FUNNY FACE
November 22, 1927
GEORGE WHITE’S SCANDALS
June 7, 1920
GEORGE WHITE’S SCANDALS
July 11, 1921
GEORGE WHITE’S SCANDALS
August 28, 1922
GEORGE WHITE’S SCANDALS
June 30, 1924
GIRL CRAZY
October 14, 1930
LADY BE GOOD
December 1, 1924
MY ONE AND ONLY
May 1, 1983
(1920)
(1921)
(1922)
(1924)
OF THEE I SING
December 26, 1931
OH, KAY!
November 8, 1926
PORGY AND BESS
October 10, 1935
ROSALIE
January 10, 1928
SHOW GIRL
July 2, 1929
SONG OF THE FLAME
December 30, 1925
STRIKE UP THE BAND
January 14, 1930
TELL ME MORE
April 13, 1925
TIP-TOES
December 28, 1925
Rhapsody
Listening Guide
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0:00 Introduction: The song starts out with a sexy clarinet solo that arches up then you can hear
“sauntering” back down in the notes to be a simple tune, but setting the common theme or melody
that will be carried through the whole piece. There is a light melody in the background of violas but
they stay light giving the clarinet all of the attention.
0:35 Low, light trumpets, muted trumpets and trombones maybe even saxophones and bassoons start
to join in with the clarinet. The Clarinet hits high notes. Adding more depth but still staying very
subtle. Also adding to the Imitation of the melody.
0:57 Gershwin joins in with the piano. Rondo. We hear the theme underlining with the strings and
trumpets. Then everyone stops but the piano giving it the full attention. Gershwin will use the Timbre
of the melody and piano to keep the piece uniform.
1:04 the Orchestra joins in with allegro and there is a large crescendo, strings and trumpets and the
clarinets are strong. They add a definite cadence. Up down
2:22 Strings light, barley in the background and adding just a touch of sound. Sometimes it is hard to
tell if all Gershwin is or if there really is more sound than just piano.
2:48 It builds, crescendos, you call feel it coming the dissonance is starting again.
Listening Guide Cont
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3:21 Even if you hear it build you still are surprised. If you are closing your eyes it almost makes you
jump. (if you have it as loud as I do) The orchestra comes in strong and fierce. Just as quick as they
start they stop. Allowing Gershwin to add more to his theme. It goes from consonance to loud
descending and dissonance. Then immediately shifts to using consonance again. Up and down up and
down. Inverted Arch Contour.
3:29 Piccolos, trill and use allegro.
3:40 it starts to soften the strings mainly violas start to lento; they bring the music down with a slower
rhythm and slower beats. A new song is starting inside the other one. You can a different feel. Almost
a different place.
3:40 the descent starts. The piano and strings start descending down lower and slower. Then the
western begins. You are rounding up cattle.
4:20 the muted trumpet makes you tap your feet as the rhythm starts to build and rondo. Gershwin
and piano are joined by flutes and clarinet solo pieces before the chorus or theme starts. The whole
orchestra is playing in harmony. The drums and strings add staccato. With sharp clean stops.
5:02 The clarinet gets a solo again. It is in rondo It keeps the same form making the earlier chaos
become calm and smooth, meno masso. The muted trumpet joins in helping the music descend. You
can slightly hear the timpani’s join in the background.
Listening Guide Cont.
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5:26 Sharp staccato rears with the strings drums and horns to start Gershwin back on his path. To
rondo again. Flutes and clarinets are backing Gershwin’s piano. It’s almost like your riding a horse, a
gallop. It is the tempo that starts to build only to stop for a French horn?
6:02 the strings join in. Flutes horns, Drums end the sentence.
6:30 Gershwin starts to do a fast scale up the piano. It has a sharper timbre as he ascends the keys
then ends with an abrupt phrase.
6:40 Gershwin all by himself on the piano starts a fast scale almost a glissando but he is repeating a
few notes in between the climb. It is the theme or chorus. He is playing with it. Changing the tempo
and pulse to keep it different but the same.
7:34 A French horn or baritone horn joins Gershwin to add a low slow smooth quality to Gershwin’s
piano. The horn plays a simple melody accompaniment in the background to add not over shadow the
piano. It has a clear consonance making the listener relax and enjoy.
8:27 Gershwin adds allegro. The piece is going to build again. He is preparing you for the entrance of
more instruments to join in.
8:45 Clarinet or French horn join in for a whimsical duet. It is just a small play of back and forth.
Playing a bit of the theme.
Listening Guide Cont.
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9:34 Gershwin plays the theme. He is improvising most likely. Keeping the constant theme in mind
but playing around in-between. Then building back on theme and adding Arch contour and then
back again.
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11:30 My favorite part. Whether by childhood memories or beauty and consonance. The strings come
in quiet and clean playing the theme, the melody joined by the clarinets and the rest of the orchestra.
Timpani is played just in the right places. You can hear a snare drum, Violas ascend then descend. It is
the part where the main characters in a love story find each other. It feels like it is going to be the end
of the song. You hear the triangle in the back quiet but present.
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13:07 Gershwin starts to build. It is almost a new song. There is some familiar notes in the background
is still using form to unify the different parts and sounds of the song.
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13:29 It almost sounds like there are 2 pianos 2 players. When I saw this live I felt like I could hear 2
but only saw one. There are so many notes played in such an amazing tempo it is hard to fathom that
only Gershwin is playing with his 2 hands. He is playing 2 different tempos at the same time.
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14:00 Gershwin plays staccato using the high sharp notes. He is creating dissonance. I am actually
feeling a stress when it instantly mellows then speeds up again. If feels like my life. Running, running.
Catch up then run fast. I see fantasia when all of the water is over taking Mickey.
Listening Guide Cont.
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15:55 The end is coming Gershwin is playing the theme, the chorus the build then stop.
16:00 Gershwin and strings mainly violins and violas. Bases in the back they are playing the final
chorus and building up to the finale.
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16:19 Gershwin uses glissando and shoots up the key board.
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16:28 the strings and drums are marching, The orchestra has all joined in. Trumpets, trombones
,drums all building. They crescendo. And peak. There is a huge sound as it all comes together in
unison. Cymbals crash. Gershwin in is the front the strings in the back are pianissimo. Gershwin is
still the star of the show and is playing forte so he can be the strong ending. They all finish together
not loud or soft, just a slight crescendo, it is just right.
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16:50 Ends
Sources
 Pictures
 http://americasmusic.tribecafilminstitute.org/session/view/bro
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adway-and-tin-pan-alley
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tin_Pan_Alley_plaque
_crop.jpg
http://www.lizhamill.com/wordpress/wpcontent/uploads/2008/06/tin-pan-alley-and-gg-song-pluggerwp.jpg
http://www.concertvault.com/features/4953-george-gershwinsongbook.html
http://toddtarantino.com/hum/gershwin_rhapsody.html
http://www.concertinamusic.com/music/laflordelacanela2.gif
http://www.musicnotes.com/images/productimages/mtd/MN00
73277.gif
http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9809/gershwin.html
Sources
 "George Gershwin." Encyclopedia.com. N.p., 2004. Web. 1 Oct
2013. <http://www.biography.com/people/george-gershwin9309643>.

 "George Gershwin." George Gershwin. Classical Net, n.d. Web. 02
Oct 2013.
<http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/gershwin.php>.

 "George Gershwin." 2013. The Biography Channel website. Nov 11
2013, 12:23 http://www.biography.com/people/george-gershwin9309643.

 "The Tv Series & Beyond." PBS.org. pbs, 10/07/2013. Web. 04
October 2013.
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/culturshock/beyond/jazz.html>.