George Gershwin's Influence on 20th Century Music

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George Gershwin was arguably the greatest influence on 20th century music. Gershwin’s music was composed of both popular and classical musical genres, but his most popular refrains are extensively known. Gershwin’s work have been used and heard in many movies, plays including Broadway, and fit for television. George Gershwin today remains one of the greatest and most influential musical composers and pianists of all time.

On September 26, 1898, in Brooklyn, New York the legend was born. George Gershwin the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants. George sparked his interest in music when his mom and dad bought a castoff piano for George’s older brother, Israel. At the age 15, Gershwin dropped out of school, and began playing in New York night clubs. He spent his day and nights playing pianos for demanding customers. After three-years of playing tunes for customers, he transformed into a highly skilled and amazing composer. To earn extra cash on the side, Gershwin worked as a rehearsal pianist for Broadway singers. Soon after that Gershwin published his first song “When You Want 'Me, You Can't Get 'Me, When You've Got 'Em, You Don't Want 'Em". At the time it was published, Gershwin was only 17 years of age, the song earned him $5. In 1917, Gershwin created a novelty rag, called “Rialto Ripples”, which was a commercial success. By 1919 he recorded and accomplished his first national hit song called “Swanee”. A famous Broadway singer, Al Jolson, heard Gershwin’s performance of “Swanee” at a party and decided to sing it in one of his shows. That’s when George Gershwin’s career really took off. Between1920 to 1924, Gershwin put on a show for an annual production put on by George White. George White was a composer, musical dir...

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In conclusion, arguably the greatest influence on American music in the 20th century was George Gershwin. Gershwin’s music was composed of both popular and classical musical genres. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular refrains are extensively known. Gershwin’s compositions have been used and heard in many movies, plays including Broadway, and fit for television. George Gershwin today remains one of the greatest and most influential musical composers and pianists of all time. Gershwin is still celebrated by many aspiring music artists and composers. He was able to innovate music and make into his own. Although he died at a young age he still had the biggest impact on American music in the 20th century. Thanks to Gershwin innovating music genres he has made room for more and more artists to thrive today.

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