George Gershwin was an American composer and musician. Through his very successful career, he composed hundreds of popular, classical, and jazz pieces of music. His work was pivotal in the early 1900’s and has continued to make a lasting impact. Many of his songs and compositions continue to be very popular in today’s society. Some of his most famous works include “Rhapsody in Blue”, and “American in Paris.” Gershwin's ability to create timeless pieces like these are part of what makes him one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century.
George Gershwin was born on September 26, 1898, in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of eleven, his parents began to notice his amazing and natural musical talent so they enrolled him in piano lessons.
The piece was premiered on February 12, 1924, in New York City at the “Experiment in Modern Music” concert, directed by Paul Whiteman (Schwarm). The story behind this song is that Gershwin had misunderstood the request from, Whiteman. He did not know he wanted him to compose a piece for that concert. He was only reminded when he saw an ad in the newspaper promoting the show. Gershwin had to create this amazing work of art in just a few weeks. Gershwin later said that because he was so pressed for time he has to work everywhere. The main theme for “Rhapsody in Blue” was actually composed on a train to Boston. When it was first performed, Gershwin didn’t have a copy of the sheet music finished yet. He had barely had enough time to finish the music for the band. So, the first time it was performed, Gershwin played the piano from memory (Schwarm). Even though the preparation for the premiere was very hectic, the performance was a huge success. After that night, all the people listening knew a new American classic had just been created. This piece has continued to be a staple in the jazz world, and is still one of the most commonly performed. This is not considered to be a technically perfect piece of music. Many music scholars believe that there are many holes and odd transitions. However, the rambling and haste is part of
To truly understand a piece of music or any other type of art, it is important to look or listen closely and really break it down. A good way to do this is through the eight views of good art. The eight views are permanence, craftsmanship, subtlety, broad appeal, unity and variety, emotion, economy, and imagination. This piece definitely has permanence. It may not be something that is commonly played on the radio, but it is still very popular in the world of classical music. When the rights to the suite were purchased by MGM and made into a movie, it gave access to more people and helped strengthen its legacy. “American in Paris” demonstrates outstanding craftsmanship for both the composer and the musician. This is a very complex piece. It uses unique note patterns and rhythm to create the sounds of a city. It makes the listener feel as if they are in the middle of a busy street in Paris. It is full of romance, chaos, and excitement all at the same time. This piece also takes lots of skill to play because it is so unique. The piece also has broad appeal. It is different from most classical compositions, which makes it something that stands out to the audience, and makes it something that they will listen to. Another thing that this work is filled with is emotion, variety, and imagination. After listening to the entire suite, the listener feels like they have been on a wild
In the book Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago, LeAlan Johns and Lloyd Newman, as two kids grow up in ghetto, document their life from 1993 to 1996 to show the rest of the America the reality of living in a poor black neighborhood. Through vast interviews, diaries and monologues, Johns and Newman provide a new perspective on the ongoing issues in the ignorant black community; they encourage the black residents to express their point of views on gang, drug, crime, and they also address their hope. Since this book is story with long time span and fragmental writing styles, it is impossible to finish the soundtrack for chapters in detail within eight songs. Therefore, if I am going to be the music composer of the movie based on this book, I would choose eight songs for the following eight themes.
The music of jazz became an important aspect of American culture in the early 20th century. The crisp syncopation of ragtime and the smooth tunes of the blues seeped into American mainstream music through dance halls and saloons and later through ballrooms. Instruments like the piano, trumpet, trombone and clarinet became important and symbolized the “swing-feel” of jazz because of their capability to syncopate and improvise precisely. With the help of the booming recording industry, musical geniuses were discovered and their talent and contributions to the emergence of jazz spread throughout the entire country. Such musicians include composer, arranger and pianist Jelly Roll Morton who heavily influenced the development of early jazz by his unique piano style, his “invention” of musical notation for jazz, and his compositions that have become the core in the jazz repertory. Because the style was new and different and so successful in drawing in large audiences, musicians around the world tried to mimic it. Furthermore, Morton’s masterpieces were the first to show notation for complicated jazz music and thus, formed the basis for standard notation in jazz compositions today.
All types of music require musicians. In the H.R (Harlem Renaissance), there were many who contributed to this new style of music known as jazz. These musicians all have their own style and form. Each of these styles has in some way influenced the evolution of jazz. Louis “Sachmo” Armstrong is recognized as the most famous trumpet player of this time. His “hot bop” style was heard in places like the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theatre. Everyone from all over the country would come to see him. Armstrong recorded such works as I’m in the Mood for Love, and You Rascal you (http://library.thinkquest.org/26656/english/music.html). Another famous person during this era was Coleman Hawkins, a saxophone player. Hawkins is recognized as the first great saxophonists of Jazz. His most famous work was a piece named Body and Soul (http://library.thinkquest.org…). Hawkins has also recorded with artists such as Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington. Other people such as Bessie Smith, Josephine Baker, Duke Ellington, and “Dizzie” Gillespie have also made many contributions to the development of Jazz.
One man made his impression on the music world soon after he arrived to America. His
Gershwin was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 26, 1898 to Morris and Rose Gershwin, Russian born Jewish immigrants who had come to America only a few years earlier. (Pollack) Gershwin had 3 siblings; an older brother names Israel, though he was later called Ira, a younger brother named Arthur and a younger sister named Frances. (Pollack)
Leonard Bernstein was born on August 25, 1918 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants. Leonard's father, Samuel immigrated to America in 1908 at the age of sixteen from the Russian province of Volhynia where he came from a long line of rabbis. (Gradenwitz 1987: 20)
George Gershwin, born in Brooklyn, New York on 26 September 1898, was born the second of four children of Morris and Rose Gershovitz, Russians who immigrated to New York in 1891. George and his family lived on Manhattan's lower east side in a poor Jewish community. After settling down in New York, his father changed the family name to Gershvin. It was George who later altered his last name to Gershwin when he entered the professional world of music. Most of his family was not musically talented, but his brother Ira became a wonderful well-known musician.
Edward Kennedy Ellington, American jazz composer, orchestrator, bandleader, and pianist, is considered to be the greatest composer in the history of jazz music and one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. He composed over 2000 works and performed numerous concerts during his musical career. A compilation of some of his most popular music is collected on a CD called "The Popular Duke Ellington." Ellington personally created most of the music played by his orchestra. He often wrote pieces for specific players with distinctive musical styles in his band, such as "Concerto for Cootie" (1940) for fellow musician and trumpeter, Cootie Williams. With the help of American trumpeter James "Bubber" Miley, Ellington often incorporated in his music the jungle effect.
Soul had a great cultural impact on the music industry during the 1960's, especially considering that record labels such as Motown, Stax, and Fame had several important soul artists under contract. While Motown was considered by some to be a more restrained (pop) type of soul, musicians such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and groups such as the Supremes and the Temptations released many successful records in combination. Both Stax and Fame Records decided to take a different approach, and many of the tracks issued out of their respective studios were of a grittier, southern soul style, which some consider to be more true to the roots of African American culture. Some southern soul musicians include Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and Aretha Franklin. During the civil rights movement and more so after Martin Luther King was assassinated, some soul artists began incorporating a "black power" element within their music. For example, take James Brown's single "Say It Loud, I'm Black and Proud".
life, and began composing for himself. In 1916, Gershwin had his first song printed and
Jazz is referred as “America’s classical music,” and is one of North America’s and most celebrated genres. The history of Jazz can be traced back to the early era of the 20th century of the U.S. “A History of Jazz” presents From Ragtime and Blues to Big Band and Bebop, jazz has been a part of a proud African American tradition for over 100 years. A strong rhythmic under-structure, blue notes, solos, “call-and response” patterns, and
Music from the Modern Era brought a new freedom and a wide experimentation that challenged certain rules of earlier periods. Music became more important during this time and it would conflict with other genres of music. Architecture from the Modern Era changed the way we think about buildings today. The availability of new building materials drove the creativity of new building styles.
Chicago When I first watched Chicago at the movie theater, I was not fully satisfied. I wanted more, so I went back to get some and watched it six more times with different friends and family members! Last summer during a visit to my native Mexico City, I had the opportunity to watch drag queens perform several numbers from the movie musical. They did an amazing job, without surpassing the outstanding performances of the actors in the film. Last year, I visited NYC for the first time and indulged in the rows of the Ambassador Theatre.
...s to keep its beautiful array of melody, intensity and control by reminding the audience that it’s still a contemporary and classical piece of work.
Around the world, there are various genres of music from pop to rock, individuals indulge in music as the greatest form of entertainment. One popular genre is classical music. Within classical music there are many great composer one of which is Ludwig van Beethoven. He was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven was very known between the Classical and Romantic Era in Western Classical Music. Beethoven is known as a great composer who had a unique method of composing music as a result of overcoming many obstacles in his life.