THE TIMES OF GERSHWIN Essay - 1207 Words

George Gershwin is one of the most celebrated composers of modern times. He is Famous for bridging the gap between Jazz and Classical music, and developing a new kind of popular music that held a genuine, American voice. With such pieces as his Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F he has become the most widely played American composer of all time. Although he boats having one of the most recognizable names in modern music, many people do not truly know the story behind it all. The Early Years His Childhood 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†¦show more content†¦Not much later, the Gershwins purchased a piano for George’s brother Ira. However George took much more of an interest in it than Ira and quickly became enamored with the piano. Ira soon stopped piano lessons and George began to take them instead. (Malchis and Gale) He was soon immersed in music entirely and went to concerts and performances on a regular basis. Soon enough he out grew the neighborhood piano teacher and with the help of some friends began to take lessons from Charles Hambitzer, who believed Gershwin had a lot of talent. It was not long before Gershwin knew what he wanted his place in the world to be. Getting Started In 1914 Gershwin decided to drop out of high school in order to enter the field of music, despite his mother’s warnings of its financial instability. He went looking for jobs and became a song plugger for a company named Jerome H. Remick and Co. As a song plugger he advertised the pieces made by his company and persuaded radio announcers to play their music on the air. Gershwin enjoyed this field of work as it let him listen to much popular music. During this time Gershwin continued to play the piano and write songs. In 1916 he published his first title, â€Å"When You Want ‘Em You Can’t Get ‘Em, When You Have ‘Em You Don’t Want ‘Em,† a very provocative piece for it’s time, speaking of the many prostitutes that filling the New York streets at that time. This is a verse from the song as written in Joan PeysersShow MoreRelatedEssay on George Gershwin (1898-1937)1254 Words   |  6 PagesGeorge Gershwin (1898-1937) 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 Manhattans 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 ofRead MoreRhapsody In Blue Essay1252 Words   |  6 Pagesclassical influences, and by grounding it firmly in the time and space in which it was conceived – showing it was a product that redefined high culture in America. First of all, it can be argued that Rhapsody in Blue marked a turning point in the path of George Gershwin’s musical career. It came after Al Jolson had recorded the pop-hit Swanee, but before Gershwin’s other crucial works, such as An American in Paris and Porgy and Bess. In George Gershwin: His Life and Work, Howard Pollack describes Gershwin’sRead More George Gershwin Essay1643 Words   |  7 Pagesthe most influencial composers of the 1920’s was George Gershwin. Gershwin was the most celebrated and wealthiest American composers of the 1920’s. 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