topic Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12 in Community Chat

Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

Oznell — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:57:30 GMT

It was February 12, 1924. Imagine the nervousness of Geroge Gershwin over his revolutionary composition, that fused jazz and classical elements in a totally new way. How would concert goers react?

Most highbrow critics were skeptical of jazz, which had been brewing among African American composers and musicians since the first years of the twentieth century. Jazz could only have happened on American soil, where these men brought, and absorbed, elements of blues, African rhythms, European folk tunes, ragtime, pop ballads, into an entirely new art form.

George Gershwin had a kind of superannuated "antenna" for musical forms and themes-- it was his genius to bring all the swirling, clanging, swinging elements together in one brilliant composition. Listen to even just a few minutes of Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic performing, and put your morning on a roll!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=13&v=cH2PH0auTUU

P.S. Critics and audiences alike in 1924 went bonkers for "Rhapsody in Blue"!

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

Another new name Sue — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:12:18 GMT

I love Rhapsody in Blue. Thanks for the link. Do you remember when United Airlines used part of it in one of their ads? Awful.

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

Sweetbay magnolia — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:42:03 GMT

Yes. Perfect melding of composition and orchestration.

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

summerwind — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:19:42 GMT

I love Rhapsody in Blue. Our high school band played it, couldn't believe the clarinet part! Our second clarinetist played it, as the first clarinetist played the piano solos. I had the bassoon parts, wasn't so hard. As a former clarinetist, I can't imagine playing it.

At one time I had a recording we'd made, but it's gotten lost over the years. Wish I still had it.

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

Oznell — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:03:52 GMT

@summerwind, that would be a treasure!

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

IMW — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:51:28 GMT

True genius. The world lost Gershwin way too young.

But, still,

wrote:
It was February 12, 1924. Imagine the nervousness of Geroge Gershwin over his revolutionary composition, that fused jazz and classical elements in a totally new way. How would concert goers react?

Most highbrow critics were skeptical of jazz, which had been brewing among African American composers and musicians since the first years of the twentieth century. Jazz could only have happened on American soil, where these men brought, and absorbed, elements of blues, African rhythms, European folk tunes, ragtime, pop ballads, into an entirely new art form.

George Gershwin had a kind of superannuated "antenna" for musical forms and themes-- it was his genius to bring all the swirling, clanging, swinging elements together in one brilliant composition. Listen to even just a few minutes of Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic performing, and put your morning on a roll!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=13&v=cH2PH0auTUU

P.S. Critics and audiences alike in 1924 went bonkers for "Rhapsody in Blue"!

the treasures he left.

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

just bee — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 17:23:30 GMT

wrote:
It was February 12, 1924. Imagine the nervousness of Geroge Gershwin over his revolutionary composition, that fused jazz and classical elements in a totally new way. How would concert goers react?

P.S. Critics and audiences alike in 1924 went bonkers for "Rhapsody in Blue"!

It's 2018 and I still go bonkers.

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

Elri — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 17:35:07 GMT

Astoundingly moving.

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

lulu1 — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 19:03:46 GMT

I LOVE Rhapsody in Blue.

My favorite part starts at 10:40 in the video.

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

Oznell — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 20:19:07 GMT

Yes, it's so "dreamy" there, isn't it, @lulu1!

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

Noel7 — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 20:39:38 GMT

I've loved Rhapsody In Blue all my life, thanks for mentioning it, I just asked Alexa to play it

My mother was a big time Gershwin fan, I grew up hearing Gershwin.

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

Noel7 — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 20:52:11 GMT

Jacob Gershowitz, George Gershwin, died in 1937, age 38, of a brain tumor, a glioblastoma. I believe that is the same tumor John McCain is fighting.

What a loss for the entire world.

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

Noel7 — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 21:06:42 GMT

I love this quote. I'd heard it before and liked it a lot, but I didn't remember where I'd heard it.

Gershwin's friends and fans were shocked and devastated. John O'Hara remarked: "George Gershwin died on July 11, 1937, but I don't have to believe it if I don't want to."

Re: Landmark of Jazz, "Rhapsody in Blue" Debuts February 12

Catiele — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 21:25:17 GMT

Wonderfully enjoyable. Will you listen again. My Moms music. The radio was always on when I was growing up. I realize now just how much she loved her music.