Music 1010 George Gershwin & Rhapsody in Blue Jolena
Childs
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George Gershwin
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In the beginning Jacob (George) is born Sept. 26, 1898 In
Brooklyn N.Y. Realizes he enjoys music at a friends Violin recital
at the age of 10. At age 12 he Gets his 1 st Piano Begins lessons
with Charles Hambitzer
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Tin Pan Alley Gershwin drops out of school to work in Tin pan
Alley as a Song Plugger
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First Published Songs
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Swanee Hits it Big
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The George White Scandals George writes music for 5 years for
the George white scandals
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George & Ira George and Ira's first song together, "The
Real American Folk Song (Is a Rag)," is heard on Broadway in LADIES
FIRST, sung by Nora Bayes.
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Paul Whitman makes history
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Rhapsody in Blues is created
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Historical Background Devils Music Classical, Jazz, blues
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The Big Night for George
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Awards and Acknowledgements 1993 Olivier Award for Best Musical
1992 Tony Award for Best Musical 1938 Oscar Nomination for Best
Music, Song : THEY CANT TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME from :SHALL WE
DANCE?
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Some of his songs
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Film Scores
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Stage Productions
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Rhapsody Listening Guide 0:00 Introduction: The song starts out
with a sexy clarinet solo that arches up then you can hear
sauntering back down in the notes to be a simple tune, but setting
the common theme or melody that will be carried through the whole
piece. There is a light melody in the background of violas but they
stay light giving the clarinet all of the attention. 0:35 Low,
light trumpets, muted trumpets and trombones maybe even saxophones
and bassoons start to join in with the clarinet. The Clarinet hits
high notes. Adding more depth but still staying very subtle. Also
adding to the Imitation of the melody. 0:57 Gershwin joins in with
the piano. Rondo. We hear the theme underlining with the strings
and trumpets. Then everyone stops but the piano giving it the full
attention. Gershwin will use the Timbre of the melody and piano to
keep the piece uniform. 1:04 the Orchestra joins in with allegro
and there is a large crescendo, strings and trumpets and the
clarinets are strong. They add a definite cadence. Up down 2:22
Strings light, barley in the background and adding just a touch of
sound. Sometimes it is hard to tell if all Gershwin is or if there
really is more sound than just piano. 2:48 It builds, crescendos,
you call feel it coming the dissonance is starting again.
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Listening Guide Cont. 3:21 Even if you hear it build you still
are surprised. If you are closing your eyes it almost makes you
jump. (if you have it as loud as I do) The orchestra comes in
strong and fierce. Just as quick as they start they stop. Allowing
Gershwin to add more to his theme. It goes from consonance to loud
descending and dissonance. Then immediately shifts to using
consonance again. Up and down up and down. Inverted Arch Contour.
3:29 Piccolos, trill and use allegro. 3:40 it starts to soften the
strings mainly violas start to lento; they bring the music down
with a slower rhythm and slower beats. A new song is starting
inside the other one. You can a different feel. Almost a different
place. 3:40 the descent starts. The piano and strings start
descending down lower and slower. Then the western begins. You are
rounding up cattle. 4:20 the muted trumpet makes you tap your feet
as the rhythm starts to build and rondo. Gershwin and piano are
joined by flutes and clarinet solo pieces before the chorus or
theme starts. The whole orchestra is playing in harmony. The drums
and strings add staccato. With sharp clean stops. 5:02 The clarinet
gets a solo again. It is in rondo It keeps the same form making the
earlier chaos become calm and smooth, meno masso. The muted trumpet
joins in helping the music descend. You can slightly hear the
timpanis join in the background.
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Listening Guide Cont. 5:26 Sharp staccato rears with the
strings drums and horns to start Gershwin back on his path. To
rondo again. Flutes and clarinets are backing Gershwins piano. Its
almost like your riding a horse, a gallop. It is the tempo that
starts to build only to stop for a French horn? 6:02 the strings
join in. Flutes horns, Drums end the sentence. 6:30 Gershwin starts
to do a fast scale up the piano. It has a sharper timbre as he
ascends the keys then ends with an abrupt phrase. 6:40 Gershwin all
by himself on the piano starts a fast scale almost a glissando but
he is repeating a few notes in between the climb. It is the theme
or chorus. He is playing with it. Changing the tempo and pulse to
keep it different but the same. 7:34 A French horn or baritone horn
joins Gershwin to add a low slow smooth quality to Gershwins piano.
The horn plays a simple melody accompaniment in the background to
add not over shadow the piano. It has a clear consonance making the
listener relax and enjoy. 8:27 Gershwin adds allegro. The piece is
going to build again. He is preparing you for the entrance of more
instruments to join in. 8:45 Clarinet or French horn join in for a
whimsical duet. It is just a small play of back and forth. Playing
a bit of the theme.
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9:34 Gershwin plays the theme. He is improvising most likely.
Keeping the constant theme in mind but playing around in-between.
Then building back on theme and adding Arch contour and then back
again. 11:30 My favorite part. Whether by childhood memories or
beauty and consonance. The strings come in quiet and clean playing
the theme, the melody joined by the clarinets and the rest of the
orchestra. Timpani is played just in the right places. You can hear
a snare drum, Violas ascend then descend. It is the part where the
main characters in a love story find each other. It feels like it
is going to be the end of the song. You hear the triangle in the
back quiet but present. 13:07 Gershwin starts to build. It is
almost a new song. There is some familiar notes in the background
is still using form to unify the different parts and sounds of the
song. 13:29 It almost sounds like there are 2 pianos 2 players.
When I saw this live I felt like I could hear 2 but only saw one.
There are so many notes played in such an amazing tempo it is hard
to fathom that only Gershwin is playing with his 2 hands. He is
playing 2 different tempos at the same time. 14:00 Gershwin plays
staccato using the high sharp notes. He is creating dissonance. I
am actually feeling a stress when it instantly mellows then speeds
up again. If feels like my life. Running, running. Catch up then
run fast. I see fantasia when all of the water is over taking
Mickey. Listening Guide Cont.
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15:55 The end is coming Gershwin is playing the theme, the
chorus the build then stop. 16:00 Gershwin and strings mainly
violins and violas. Bases in the back they are playing the final
chorus and building up to the finale. 16:19 Gershwin uses glissando
and shoots up the key board. 16:28 the strings and drums are
marching, The orchestra has all joined in. Trumpets,
trombones,drums all building. They crescendo. And peak. There is a
huge sound as it all comes together in unison. Cymbals crash.
Gershwin in is the front the strings in the back are pianissimo.
Gershwin is still the star of the show and is playing forte so he
can be the strong ending. They all finish together not loud or
soft, just a slight crescendo, it is just right. 16:50 Ends
Listening Guide Cont.
Sources " George Gershwin." Encyclopedia.com. N.p., 2004. Web.
1 Oct 2013.. "George Gershwin." George Gershwin. Classical Net,
n.d. Web. 02 Oct 2013.. "George Gershwin." 2013. The Biography
Channel website. Nov 11 2013, 12:23
http://www.biography.com/people/george-gershwin-
9309643.http://www.biography.com/people/george-gershwin- 9309643
"The Tv Series & Beyond." PBS.org. pbs, 10/07/2013. Web. 04
October 2013..