GEORGE GERSHWIN Whiteman That He Would Write a Born: September 26, 1898 Concerto for His Band to Perform

“Andante” From Rhapsody in Blue GEORGE GERSHWIN Whiteman that he would write a Born: September 26, 1898 concerto for his band to perform. Died: July 11, 1937 One morning in January, 1924, he read in the newspaper that Paul George Gershwin was a 20th Whiteman’s band concert was century American composer born going to feature a jazz concerto in Brooklyn, New York. He taught by George Gershwin. The concert himself to play the piano at a was just a month away! George friend’s house by following how began writing immediately, using the keys moved on a player piano. the popular jazz style that was His family finally got their own also part of his Broadway works. piano when he was 12 years old, On the train to Boston for another and George surprised everyone by performance, he wrote the sitting down and playing the songs melodies and rhythms. He later he had learned by himself. said the bumping of the train was his inspiration for the rhythmic George liked to compose both piano parts. It took Gershwin only classical and popular music and was three weeks to write the entire able to put the two together like no Rhapsody in Blue. He performed other composer. His most famous the piano part himself at the Paul work, Rhapsody in Blue, was Whiteman Band concert on written in 1924. Gershwin also had February 12, 1924. a hit show on Broadway that same year. Gershwin also wrote the opera Porgy and Bess and several more Perhaps that’s why he almost forgot classical works during his career. to write Rhapsody in Blue. George He is regarded as one of America’s had promised band leader Paul greatest composers. Name Scramble George Gershwin As you listen to Rhapsody in Blue, describe the music using words that begin with the letters in Gershwin’s name: AOPIN IIONVL MBNEOTRO G________________________________ E________________________________ R________________________________ S________________________________ H________________________________ W________________________________ TTMRUEP BTUA CNEHRF I_________________________________ N________________________________ OHRN WGUC sincerely thanks The Charles H. Dater Foundation for its sustaining support since the inception of Classics for Kids®. “Andante” From Rhapsody in Blue The strings dream The strings capture the One small violin sees The piano wants to of playing with the piano and force him to play a piano. He tells the play by himself. He other instruments with them. others. takes the spotlight. Start The piano explains that they can all play together if they can take turns. Music is so much fun when you work together! The brass instruments of the orchestra want to play too and compete with the piano The families fight over who gets to play with the They all run into piano. They end up pulling the piano back and each other with a forth. The piano finally breaks loose “BLAST!” WHAT IS JAZZ? George Gershwin was inspired by a train ride while composing “Rhapsody in Blue.” Does Jazz, often called America’s classical music, his music inspire you? was born in Black communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from roots in blues Write a story while listening to “Rhapsody in Blue.” and ragtime. Jazz is characterized by swing, altered scales and harmonies, blue notes and Send it to: improvisation. Classics for Kids c/o WGUC Learn more about jazz at this website: 1223 Central Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45214 https://academy.jazz.org/media-library/ Or E-mail us at [email protected] For more about George Gershwin and his music, visit www.gershwin.com..

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