George Gershwin Essay -- essays research papers

One of the most influencial composers of the 1920s was George Gershwin. Gershwin was the most celebrated and wealthiest American composers of the 1920s. In this paper I will dissertate Gershwins life as a child and his upbringing and how his music expressed the dreams of every American Citizen by mixing different styles of music homogeneous Jewish, black, jazz, classical, blues and put them into one genre and created absolute music.George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 26, 1898. As the son of immigrant parents, Georges father had many jobs, so they were forced to live in many locations. George had two brothers, Arthur and angriness, and one sister, Francis. Although, George was the most well known of the family, his brother Ira was also a successful lyricist. Also, it was Iras interest in music that made their parents purchase the first family piano. However, it was George that took the immediate interest in playing the piano. George played by ear in the le ad his parents purchased piano lessons for him. George began to study music seriously at the age of twelve.After studying and perfecting his talent, under the guidance of Charles Hambutze, Gershwin was taught proper techniques, lyricism, and harmony. This opened up a the solid grounds of Chopin, Liszt, Debussy and Schoenberg (Ewen 58-60). Gershwin was offered a job at Remicks Music Publishing House in Tin Pan Alley. Gershwin jumped at the opportunity to become the youngest pianist ever apply at the popular music capital of the world. Gershwin , at the young age of fifteen, quit school and became a song booster shot. (Schwartz 21). The purpose of a song plugger was to make a song become a hit. Everyday hundreds of singers and actors came to Tin Pan Alley looking for fresh new materials. The song pluggers could improvise and transfer a song on the spot to fit a particular singer or actor. Soon, everyone was going to Gershwin to compose music.George Gerswhin 3It wasnt long in fron t Gershwin figured out that he wanted something different in his life, and began composing for himself. In 1916, Gershwin had his first song printed and published. It was this first publication that led to him meeting famed lyricist, Irving Caesar. Gershwin and Caesar decided to work together on a Broadway musical. This was a dream come true for Gershwin, and a major turning po... ...gery and died on July 11, 1937 in Hollywood California.Ira Gerwhin saved a great deal of Georges work and shared it with younger people, including Michael Feinstein, whose recordings include some of Gerswhin pieces. Gerswins compositions are still today macrocosm played on mainstream media on a regular basis. Commercials feature Gerswins music regularly. United Airlines used Rhapsody In Blue for years as its marketing theme. H&R Block recently encouraged their clients to think of their services as Someone To adopt Over Me. Visa also used I Got musical rhythm in their marketing theme.Motion Pictures still use Gerswhins music for their themes and plots. In Mr. Hollands Opus, a student sings the love ballad Someone to Watch over Me. When Harry Met Sally featured numerous Gerswhin songs, including Lets call the whole thing off.George Gerswhin 7Gerswhins music is studied by students everywhere. His talents are still gracing the world and his memory lives on through his fans and admirers worldwide. Gerswhins music will continue to be played and listened to by people worldwide and will continue to be an stirring to music lovers everywhere.