GERSHWIN - RHAPSODY IN BLUE
(36 pages, 15 €)
George Gershwin composed the 'Rhapsody in Blue' in January 1924 at the suggestion of the conductor Paul Whiteman. Unlike his later symphonic works, the 'Concerto in F' (1925) and 'An American in Paris' (1928), he presented the 'Rhapsody in Blue' in a version for two pianos; the instrumentation for piano and jazz band for the premiere and later for piano and symphonic orchestra (1926 and 1942) was provided by Ferde Grofé, the arranger of Whiteman's 'Palais Royal Orchestra'.
The premiere on February 12, 1924 took place in New York by Whiteman’s Orchestra with George Gershwin as piano soloist in the presence of such renowned musicians as Sergej Rachmaninoff, Igor Stravinsky, Leopold Stokowski, Willem Mengelberg, Jascha Heifetz and Fritz Kreisler, and was a triumphant success for Gershwin.
Up to this day, the 'Rhapsody in Blue' remains one of the most fascinating American compositions, combining contemporary musical trends in the United States with European musical tradition in a highly original way.
Like the Statue of Liberty in New York, which was built in the same year, the 'Rhapsody in Blue' became a symbol of national American identity.
After playing the 'Rhapsody in Blue' in various versions, I was naturally tempted to perform it on the organ. You can hear how good it sounds on my SACD 'Variations on America'. (MDG 917 1809-6)
(Dr. Rudolf Innig)