The Bowery Boys: New York City History #468 Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue": A Jazz-Age Drama
Aug 29, 2025
Discover the fascinating backstory of Gershwin's iconic 'Rhapsody in Blue' and how a surprise article propelled this young composer into music history. Explore the vibrant cultural backdrop of 1920s New York City, where jazz collided with classical traditions. Hear about the dramatic premiere at Aeolian Hall and the mixed reactions it provoked. Delve into the legacy of this groundbreaking piece and its ongoing influence on contemporary artists. Original audio clips bring Gershwin's world and creativity to life!
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Whiteman's Concert Bridged Musical Worlds
- Paul Whiteman sought to bring popular American music into the concert hall and recruited Gershwin for prestige and novelty.
- That framing helped Rhapsody in Blue reach elite audiences and blur lines between jazz, Broadway, and classical music.
Pool Hall Newspaper Sparked A Masterpiece
- George Gershwin learned he'd supposedly been commissioned for a jazz concerto from a newspaper headline while shooting pool on January 3, 1924.
- He then had five weeks to compose what became Rhapsody in Blue, turning a mistaken claim into a masterpiece.
Grofé Rapidly Orchestrated The Piece
- Ferde Grofé worked daily with Gershwin to orchestrate the two-piano score into parts for Whiteman's 23-piece jazz orchestra in about ten days.
- Grofé also introduced a previously written Gershwin tune into the Rhapsody at their suggestion.
