Rhapsody in Blue, musical composition by George Gershwin, known for its integration of jazz rhythms with classical music , that premiered on February 12, 1924, as part of bandleader Paul Whiteman
What was Rhapsody in Blue used in?
The piece is used by United Airlines in their advertisements, in pre-flight safety videos, and in the Terminal 1 underground walkway at O’Hare International Airport. Rhapsody in Blue was used extensively throughout the 2013 film The Great Gatsby .
When was Rhapsody in Blue popular?
In February 1924 Gershwin gave the world premiere of Rhapsody in Blue to tumultuous applause, although some critics were not convinced... Lawrence Gilman, a music critic from the New York Tribune, was clearly unimpressed by Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Are there different versions of Rhapsody in Blue?
There have been countless other versions of the Rhapsody over the years, including an arrangement for banjo octet that George’s brother Ira said he would “like to hear once and then promptly forget.” Duke Ellington also periodically rearranged Gershwin’s piece for his own jazz band through the 1920s and 1930s, and many ...
Is Rhapsody in Blue homophonic?
The mode of this piece is duple , as “Rhapsody in Blue” was written in a duple/quadruple meter, and no conductor can change that aspect of the composition. During the song, the main timbre changes from brass to piano, but neither timbre is featured at the same time.
Why did George Gershwin wrote Rhapsody in Blue?
George Gershwin wrote his Rhapsody in Blue in a big hurry, after he saw a newspaper announcement saying that he was writing a jazz concerto for a concert taking place in less than a month ! Everyone loved the piece at its first performance, and at age 25, Gershwin became a musical celebrity.
How long does Rhapsody in Blue last?
It can be a five-minute piece or a twelve-minute piece . And in fact, all these things are being done to it every day.
Who played the piano in Rhapsody in Blue?
Oscar Levant had three functions in this film: he provided George Gershwin’s piano playing as Robert Alda’s double, he portrayed himself on screen and he was heard playing piano on the soundtrack as himself, Oscar Levant, in the commemorative performance of “Rhapsody in Blue” which ends the film.
How many themes are in rhapsody in Blue?
After hearing a complete performance of Rhapsody in Blue, the class will isolate each of the five main themes and explore some common elements of each. The students will have constructed their own composition based on a blues scale (in 12-bar form).
How many movements is rhapsody in Blue?
There were 26 separate musical movements on the bill and Rhapsody was second to last. That additional time might have been useful! Gershwin began writing the score only weeks earlier on January 7.
How much did United Airlines pay for rhapsody in Blue?
United first licensed “Rhapsody in Blue” in 1987, agreeing to pay an annual fee of $300,000 to use the composition in its ads, recalls the Cambridge Music Handbook for the piece. Before that, United used a song that revolved around its slogan, “Flying the friendly skies.”
What influenced George Gershwin?
Gershwin was influenced by French composers of the early twentieth century. In turn Maurice Ravel was impressed with Gershwin’s abilities, commenting, “Personally I find jazz most interesting: the rhythms, the way the melodies are handled, the melodies themselves.
Is Rhapsody in Blue public domain?
Now in 2020, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue is in the public domain and available for adaptation and other creative uses. Gershwin melodies can be worked into new compositions, arranged for new instrumental (and vocal!)
How accurate is the movie Rhapsody in Blue?
DVD Review – ‘Rhapsody In Blue’ – A Gershwin Biopic That ‘Ain’t Necessarily So’ True Rhapsody in Blue, a 1945 film version of the life of George Gershwin, is out for the first time on DVD. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says it’s a fascinating mixture of real facts, pure invention and memorable musical moments .
Does Alan Alda play the piano?
Alda’s own introduction to music and, in fact, to the piano, was through Gershwin whom he encountered as a young child. ... He didn’t know how to play the piano but he had to train for weeks to be able to get the precise fingering of all the pieces that he would play in the movie.
