George Gershwin (/ˈɡɜːrʃ.wɪn/; born Jacob Bruskin Gershowitz, September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist whose
compositions spanned both popular and classical genres. Among his
best-known works are the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue (1924)
and An American in Paris (1928), the songs Swanee (1919) and
Fascinating Rhythm (1924), the jazz standard I Got Rhythm (1930), and
the opera Porgy and Bess (1935) which spawned the hit Summertime.
Gershwin studied piano under Charles Hambitzer and composition with
Rubin Goldmark, Henry Cowell, and Joseph Brody. He began his career as a
song plugger but soon started composing Broadway theater works with his
brother Ira Gershwin and with Buddy DeSylva. He moved to Paris
intending to study with Nadia Boulanger, but she refused him. He
subsequently composed An American in Paris, returned to New York City
and wrote Porgy and Bess with Ira and DuBose Heyward. Initially a
commercial failure, it came to be considered one of the most important
American operas of the twentieth century and an American cultural
classic.
Gershwin moved to Hollywood and composed numerous film scores. He died
in 1937 of a malignant brain tumor. His compositions have been adapted
for use in film and television, with several becoming jazz standards
recorded and covered in many variations.
Comments
Post a Comment