Happy Birthday to legendary American composer, George Gershwin, born Jacob Gershowitz in Brooklyn, NY, on September 26, 1898. Some call this great pianist, America’s greatest composer. Gershwin tragically had a large brain tumor and died at the young age of 38 on July 11, 1937 in Los Angeles.
From Wikipedia: Gershwin’s “compositions spanned both popular and classical genres. Among his best-known works are the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American in Paris (1928), the songs Swanee (1919) and Fascinating Rhythm (1924), the jazz standard I Got Rhythm (1930), and the opera Porgy and Bess (1935) which spawned the hit Summertime.”
“Gershwin moved to Hollywood and composed numerous film scores until his death in 1937 from a malignant brain tumor. His compositions have been adapted for use in films and television, and several became jazz standards recorded and covered in many variations.”
Israeli pianist and musicologist, Dr. Astrith Baltsan, did this wonderful video explaining Gershwin in her own unique and wonderful way, with the Israeli Philharmonic:
Now please turn up the volume and enjoy George Gershwin’s beloved piece for piano and orchestra: “Rhapsody in Blue”:
Here is one of George, and his brother Ira, Gershwin’s famous standard jazz piece, “I’ve Got Rhythm”:
Finally, please turn up the volume and enjoy, George Gershwin: “Summertime” from his great opera, Porgy and Bess, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong:
Happy Birthday, George Gershwin! You’ve got rhythm!
Classical Music With Big Mike 