“Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin (1924)

MUSIC VIDEO

*Note that the original performance referenced below is not recorded and so a cover has been provided.

LYRICS

[instrumental]

ANALYSIS
              Despite jazz’s rebellious nature and roots in African American culture, there were numerous attempts to make it more serious, more similar to European classical music. “Rhapsody in Blue” was first performed at the “Experiment in Modern Music” concert which was organized by Paul Whiteman to show to that jazz was a serious art form. Whiteman “worked diligently to defend jazz’s reputation, but also saw in jazz and its musical predecessors (including ragtime and syncopated dance music) a ‘primitive’ origin in African culture” (Getman 2013). The hope was that by introducing “symphonic jazz” pieces like “Rhapsody in Blue,” a conversation could be opened up between jazz and classical music. “Rhapsody in Blue” has elements of jazz but is ultimately a symphonic piece. Because it was so hastily composed (Gershwin only had 5 weeks to work on it before in premiered), the song “channeled jazz’s improvisational charm, encapsulating the chaotic harmonies and blues notes,” though not enough to please jazz’s admirers (Keller 2018). Jazz--through its incorporation into the concert hall--was beginning to seem more acceptable to conservatives, especially because it meant leaving behind the “dirty” cultural/historical roots of jazz as black entertainment in speakeasies.

WORKS CITED
Getman, Jessica. “When Blue Was New: Rhapsody in Blue‘s Premiere at ‘An Experiment in

              Modern Music.’” The Gershwin Initiative, University of Michigan School of Music,
              Theatre & Dance, 10 Sept. 2013, smtd.umich.edu/ami/gershwin/?p=628.
Keller, James M. “Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue.” San Francisco Symphony, 5 Mar. 2018,

              www.sfsymphony.org/Watch-Listen-Learn/Read-Program-Notes/Program

              -Notes/Gershwin-Rhapsody-in-Blue.aspx.