"MUSIC OF GERSHWIN"

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 117, 19 September 1941, Page 15

"MUSIC OF GERSHWIN"

EORGE ° GERSHWIN, the ‘American composer who died in 1937 at the age of 38 is the subject of a series of programmes The Music of Gershwin which will soon be heard over the ZB stations. These programmes, which have been compiled by the CBS Head Office proeramme department, will feature a

number of unusual recordings specially imported from America. They illustrate clearly the remarkable versatility of this composer of symphonic jazz, one of the few who have seriously attempted to bridge the gap which separates the dance band from the sym-

phony orchestra. In his twenties, Gershwin was a typical product of Tin Pan Alley. Born in New York of Jewish parentage, and brought up in the jumbled poverty of the East Side, he took naturally to writing the slick, easy, popular songs which even fifteen years or so ago were beginning to bring in phenomenal royalties to their composers. | There are many stories of his progression from writer of Broadway hits to serious composer. According to one, he was making a crossing on a transAtlantic steamer when Aaron Copland,

the Jewish composer, told him he ought to study and become a real musician. He took the advice to heart, studied under Reuben Goldmark and Nadia Boulanger, and wrote Rhapsody in Blue. The first product of Gershwin’s new career was introduced to the public in 1924 by Paul Whiteman, and it is still debated in musical circles in America whether it was Paul Whiteman who made Gershwin, or Gershwin who made Paul Whiteman, The following year

Walter Damrosch conducted Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F at the Carnegie Hall, New York, and America began to realise that here was a new musical prophet. Critics have remarked that Gershwin’s command of the classical medium is not as sure as his touch in popular music, and some doubt has been expressed as to whether his essays in classical jazz will seem as important in fifty years as they do now. In its complete form, it has been pointed out, the longwindedness of the Rhapsody in Blue is not entirely justified by the title. ---- on

Gershwin’s more pretentious works were the Rhapsody, two concertos, tha composition An American in Paris, and an elaborate rumba which he brought back from Cuba, but it is thought that his reputation will rest more on his shorter pieces for piano solo. The first Gershwin programme will be heard trom 2ZB on Sunday, September 21, and from 1ZB the followe ing Sunday. The second programme is also on its rounds, and will ba heard from 3ZB on September 21, and from 2ZB and 1ZB on successive Sundays.