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Gershwin, George [né Jacob Gershvin] (1898-1937), composer. One of the greatest and most original of Broadway songwriters, he was born in Brooklyn to a poor immigrant family. Young George's love of music came early on and was helped by his friendship with his classmate, violinist Max Rosen. When the Gershwins purchased a piano for his older brother, Ira ira-gershwin, it was George, then twelve, who monopolized it. At fourteen he began lessons with a key figure in his musical life, Charles Hambitzer, a composer and pianist of broad, advanced musical tastes. From Hambitzer, Gershwin received a thorough classical training, but he was also aware of the native musical upheaval around him (particularly the work of Jerome jerome-kern). Gershwin achieved recognition after Al al-jolsonsang "Swanee" in Sinbad in 1919. That same year he composed his first score, for La La Lucille. From 1920 to 1924 he created scores for george-white-s-scandals, including such hit songs as "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise" (1922) and "Somebody Loves Me" (1924). From late 1924 on he worked almost exclusively with Ira. Their first hit was lady-be-good-aircraft(1924), a show that marked a turning point in American musical comedy; its jazz‐based melodies, harmonies, and rhythms set a new standard and allowed musical comedy to be clearly distinguished from operetta, which retained allegiances to European mannerisms. Gershwin's melodic lines tended to be angular and aggressive, as exemplified by the show's "Fascinating Rhythm" and title song but could on occasion be soft, sentimental, almost wailing, as in "So Am I," suggesting that his Jewish background as well as black sources influenced his composition. A succession of hits and near misses followed: Tell Me More! (1925), tip-toes(1925), Song of the Flame (1925), oh-kay(1926), funny-face(1927), Rosalie (1928), Treasure Girl (1928), Show Girl (1929), strike-up-the-band-2(1930), girl-crazy(1930), of-thee-i-sing(1931), Pardon My English (1933), and Let 'Em Eat Cake (1933). From early in his career Gershwin had been interested in more serious composition, writing numerous concert pieces that remain popular today. Even his political musicals can be seen as a step away from traditional material. In 1935 he attempted a folk Opera, porgy-and-bess. The initial reception was mixed and public response lukewarm, but the musical's popularity has grown with time and may well prove his most durable work. Decades after his death Gershwin had two Broadway hits (based on earlier shows): My One and Only(1983) and Crazy for You (1992), and his music was featured in George Gershwin Alone (2001). Biography: Gershwin: A Biography, Edward Jablonsky, 1987. :-)

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Related Questions

How many siblings does george gershwin have?

George Gershwin had one sister; Francis Gershwin.


Who composed the music for the famous opera porgy and bess and the famous orchestral peice rhapsody in blues?

Who is The composer of "Rhapsody in Blue" George Gershwin


When was George Gershwin born?

George Gershwin was born on September 26, 1898.


George gershwin's brother?

Ira Gershwin


The composer of the opera porgy and bess and rhapsody of blue?

The composer of Porgy and Bess was George Gershwin. He also composed the Rhapsody in Blue for piano and orchestra.


Americans leading composer of symponic jazz was?

George gershwin


What is George Gershwin's birthday?

George Gershwin was born on September 26, 1898.


What is the birth name of George Gershwin?

George Gershwin's birth name is Gershowitz, Jacob.


How tall is George Gershwin?

George Gershwin is 5' 10 1/2".


Did george gershwin have any kids?

No, Gershwin never married.


What instruments did Gershwin play?

George Gershwin plays the piano!


What has the author George Gershwin written?

George Gershwin has written: 'George Sershwin at the piano' 'Impromptu in two keys' -- subject(s): Piano music 'Porgy and Bess (medley) Vocal Score' 'The Young Pianist's Library / 14A - Gershwin Recital' 'The New Best of George and Ira Gershwin' 'George Gershwin's Greatest Hits' 'Gershwin's Improvisations for Solo Piano' 'Fascinating Rhythm' 'Porgy and Bess' 'George Gershwin's Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra' 'Best of George Gershwin' 'Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue' 'Gershwin for guitar' 'Music Minus One Piano' 'Gershwin at the Keyboard' 'George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess' 'Preludes' 'The new 50 golden rediscovered Gershwin classics' 'Of thee I sing' -- subject(s): History, Humor, Librettos, Musicals 'Vocal Selections from My One and Only' 'An American in Paris' -- subject(s): Scores, Symphonic poems 'The Greatest Songs Of George Gershwin' 'Classical Gershwin (Classic String Quartets)'