George Gershwin (1898-1937) Bio and Chronology
The exuberance and optimism of the 1920's and Gatsby era were captured by George Gershwin, one of the original authors of the new American Songbook. Many consider the American Songbook to be America's greatest gift to the arts. Gershwin exemplified the Jazz Age with his upbeat songs containing elements of jazz, dance-like rhythms, riffs, ever-changing harmonies and lyricism, all suited for improvisation. Gershwin contributed to the golden age of Broadway and his compositions have influenced modern opera.
Gershwin grew up in a close-knit middle class family in New York City, enjoying both classical and popular music. In his early teens, Gershwin became a pianist in Tin Pan Alley, NYC, demonstrating new songs for publishing houses that flourished during the early 1900's. His first hit, Swanee, was performed by Al Jolson in 1919. His brother, Ira, collaborated as lyricist for song-writing projects. Although Ira was often depicted as more serious and studious, both brothers shared an irrepressible wit and love of life.
In Howard Pollack's book, George Gershwin His Life and Work, Gershwin's family home was described as a four flat, which included George, his parents; brothers and sister and their families, each on respective floors with George living at the top. Their spirited and entertaining lifestyle was imitated in the classic comedy play You Can't Take It With You by Kaufman & Hart (1938).
When interviewed, Gershwin would downplay his formal music education. Pollack explained that Gershwin availed himself of the great opportunities in NYC for "independent study." Gershwin studied piano and theory with Hambitzer, Kilenyi and Shillinger, well-known teachers, and he took courses in counterpoint, orchestration, conducting and music literature. He was a friend of Duke Ellington (they were only one year apart in age and often performed in the same New York venues). Gershwin asked Duke to collaborate on a project, but it never came to pass.
In 1924 both Rhapsody In Blue and the broadway musical Lady Be Good were premiered. Lady Be Good includes the song Fascinatin' Rhythm. The Gershwin brothers collaborated on musicals including Funny Face, Girl Crazy, Let Them Eat Cake, Strike Up The Band, My One and Only and Crazy For You. The musical Of Thee I Sing, performed during the Depression era, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1932.
Gershwin composed An American In Paris during a tour of France in 1928, when he became acquainted with the musical styles of Les Six and met composers Honegger, Milhaud and Poulenc. Milhaud was the first to compose a jazz ballet, The Creation of the World in the early twenties, and Poulenc's pianistic works, including Mouvements perpetuels and Promenades, influenced Gershwin's compositions.
In a span of only twenty years, Gershwin composed music that is still cherished today all around the world. While working on film scores in California during his late thirties, he suffered from blinding headaches and was referred to psychological counseling. When a brain tumor was finally diagnosed, it was too late to save him. When you have a chance, listen to Gershwin's large scale works, including Rhapsody In Blue (pianist Marcus Roberts recorded a remarkable version), Piano Concerto in F, An American in Paris, and the opera Porgy and Bess.
As an artist, Howard Pollack characterized Gershwin as "thoughtful and generous, if evidently self-absorbed; more tactful than not; artistically adventurous and open-minded; a little shy and reserved, but animated and extremely amiable; and widely respected not only by a large international public but by numerous colleagues, including some of the foremost composers of his time."
1898 Born in New York, New York
1919 First hit Swanee
1924 Rhapsody In Blue; Lady Be Good
1928 An American In Paris
1931 Of Thee I Sing (awarded Pulitzer Prize)
1935 Porgy and Bess
1937 Died, Hollywood, CA.
MUSICAL COLLAGE. The American Song Book.