Classical Music | Violin Music

George Gershwin

"It Ain't Necessarily So," from Porgy and Bess   Play

Ariana Kim Violin
Ieva Jokubaviciute Piano

Recorded on 05/18/2011, uploaded on 01/03/2012

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Legendary violinist Jascha Heifetz once said, "George Gershwin was a good friend of mine; we often played together.  I asked him to write a concerto for the violin but he died before he had a chance to do it."  Although Heifetz did not get his wish for a concerto, he brought Gershwin's music to the solo violin repertoire on his own by transcribing numerous pieces for violin and piano.  Taken from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, "It Ain't Necessarily So" brings the aria off the opera stage and into the recital hall.  Virtuosic and fiery, this transcription retains the jazz-influenced energy of the original version, and it has become a beloved staple of the violin recital literature worldwide.