The George Gershwin Reader
- Editor: Johnson, John Andrew
- Editor: Wyatt, Robert
Reading The George Gershwin Reader yields fresh ideas, opening the door for further investigations
The George Gershwin Reader
- Editor: Johnson, John Andrew
- Editor: Wyatt, Robert
Purchase product
Reading The George Gershwin Reader yields fresh ideas, opening the door for further investigations
About
George Gershwin is one of the giants of American music, unique in that he was both a brilliant writer of popular songs and of more serious music. Here, music lovers are reated to a spectacular celebration of this great American composer. The Reader offers a kaleidoscopic collection of writings by Gershwin, as well as those about Gershwin, written by a who's who of famous commentators. More than eighty pieces of superb variety, color, and depth include the critical debate over Gershwin's concert pieces, especially "Rhapsody in Blue" and "An American in Paris." There is a complete section devoted to the controversies over "Porgy and Bess," including correspondence between Gershwin and DuBose Hayward, the opera's librettist, plus unique interviews with the original Porgy and Bess--Todd Duncan and Anne Brown. Sprinkled throughout the book are excerpts from Gershwin's own letters, which offer unique insight into this fascinating and charming man. Along with a detailed chronology of the composer's life, the editors provide informative introductions to each entry. Here is a book for anyone interested in American music. Scholars, performers, and Gershwin's legions of fans will find it an irresistible feast.
Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Part I : Portraits of the Artist 1: Ira Gershwin: "In person, my brother was a good deal like his music" (1961) 2: Frances Gershwin Godowsky: "George Gershwin Was My Brother" (1962) 3: Kay Swift: "Did you ever feel that composer resembled his music?" (ca.
- Part II : The Growing Limelight (1919-1924) 8: George Gershwin: Letter to Max Abramson (1918) 9: Dolly Dalrymple: "Pianist, Playing Role of Columbus, Makes Another American Discovery: Beryl Rubinstein Says This Country Possesses Genius Composer" (1922) 10
- Part III : Fame and Fortune (1924-1930) 17: Philip Furia: "Lady, Be Good!" (1996) 18: Ira Gershwin: Letter to Lou and Emily Paley (November 26, 1924) 19: Alec Wilder: "That Certain Feeling" (1972) 20: Carl Van Vechten: "George Gershwin, An American Compos
- Part IV : Maturity (1930-1935) 38: Making Music 39: Satire to Music 40: George Gershwin 41: Of Thee I Sing, Kaufman-Ryskind Musical Comedy Satire at the Music Box 42: A Music Master Talks of His Trials 43: From William Grant Still: A Study in Contradictio
- Part V : Porgy and Bess 53: From America's Folk Opera 54: Selected Correspondence 55: George Gershwin Arrives to Plan Opera on Porgy 56: Porgy and Bess, Native Opera, Opens at the Alvin: Gershwin's Work Based on DuBose Heyward's Play 57: Rhapsody in Catfi
- Part VI : Last Years: Hollywood (1936-1937) 60: Hollywood - An Ending 61: Gershwin Analyzes Science of Rhythm 62: Radio Pays a Debt 63: A Foggy Day 64: Letters to Zenna Hannenfeldt 65: Letters to Mabel Schirmer 66: Letter to Emily Paley 67: Letter to Henr
- Part VII : Obituaries and Eulogies 71: Report in Variety 72: George Gershwin 73: Hail and Farewell: Career and Position of George Gershwin in American Music 74: Poem 75: Tribute 76: Gershwin Left $341,089 Estate to His Mother; 'Rhapsody in Blue' Appraised
- Part VIII : As Time Passes 78: Music by Slide Rule 79: Gershwin on Gershwin 80: Gershwin, Schillinger, and Dukelsky: Some Reminiscences 81: Why Don't You Run Upstairs and Write a Nice Gershwin Tune? 82: George Gershwin 83: George Gershwin: yes, the sounds
- Bibliography Credits
- Index
Awards and reviews
Music and Letters
Reading The George Gershwin Reader yields fresh ideas, opening the door for further investigations
