Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 09/09/2009, uploaded on 12/29/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Rhapsody in Blue              George Gershwin (arr. Cristian Macelaru)

George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, arguably the most popular work for piano and orchestra written by an American, came about almost by accident. Toward the end of 1923, popular bandleader Paul Whiteman asked Gershwin if he'd consider writing a jazz concerto for his orchestra. Gershwin informally agreed to do so and returned to his regular beat of writing songs for Broadway shows. Imagine Gershwin's surprise on January 4, 1924, when his brother Ira brought along that day's edition of the New York Evening Herald, wherein Whiteman announced that George's jazz concerto was to be premiered on February 12, barely more than a month away. The four-stave manuscript of Rhapsody in Blue, now in the Library of Congress, records that George began work on the piece on January 7, 1924, and finished by February 4. © All Music Guide