Music Time Periods: Twentieth Century

Twentieth Century: Important Composers, Theorists, and Performers, Continued

George Gershwin (1898-1937)

George Gershwin in 1937 By Carl Van Vechten - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID van.5a52009.

American composer and pianist George Gershwin is known for compositions that crossed over genres from Classical to Popular music. His melodies captured the sound and spirit of the Jazz era, and many of his songs are now considered Jazz standards. Among his many works are a number of Broadway theatre shows that he composed with his brother, Ira Gershwin, including Show Girl and Girl Crazy. Towards the end of his life, Gershwin transitioned into composing music for Hollywood.

In addition to the many individual songs from his musicals that stand alone as jazz standards, Gershwin’s most famous compositions are his orchestral works Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, and the opera Porgy and Bess, which features the famous aria “Summertime.”

George Gershwin "Summertime"

Summertime (from the George Gershwin opera, "Porgy and Bess") from CantoDeo on Vimeo.

George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue - Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic (1976)

Link to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH2PH0auTUU