Rhapsody in Blue

~ beetleypete

Most Classical music is very old. When it was written, it was the ‘pop music’ of its day, and predominantly admired by the wealthy, and patrons of the arts. Everyday folk had to be content with their folk songs and hymns, as they were unlikely to ever be in a place where Classical music was performed, or even heard.

Most of us can recognise the better-known Classical pieces, such as ‘The Planets’, or ‘The Four Seasons’, and some composers, like Handel, have distinctive styles, and preferred instruments. Much of this recognition is down to the use of music to accompany films, and TV advertisements; we hear something pleasant, delve a little further into its origins, and discover the composer’s other works. Modern composers of Classical music are few and far between, and often less well-known, without the same wide audience.

In 1924, George Gershwin, the American songwriter and composer, wrote a piece of music that sought to combine elements of Classical music with the Jazz that was so popular at the time. Lasting less than twenty minutes, Gershwin’s work became an anthem to America, and remains a fascinating piece, as fresh to listen to today, as when it was first played. Rhapsody in Blue at first seems to be an amalgam of different pieces, and does not seem to work. Listen all the way to the end, and you will see that it is in fact, a complete work, combining an unusual array of solos, with a massive orchestral backing, and finale.

It became the signature tune of the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. Whiteman was the biggest ‘star’ of his time, and attracted all the great soloists, and composers, to his band. He toured extensively, played on radio shows, appeared in many films, and sold millions of records, as well as the sheet music, of the most popular songs played by his orchestra. The first time I heard Rhapsody in Blue, I also saw it, with Gershwin himself at the piano, in the film ‘King of jazz’, made in 1930. I saw this film almost 40 years later, attracted by the members of Whiteman’s orchestra, Bix Beiderbecke, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, and the Rhythm Boys, all well known as solo musicians, or vocalists, in their own right.

Of course, it is controversial to call Paul Whiteman’s orchestra a Jazz ensemble these days, as his passion for performing in films, and his familiar style, is no longer considered to be Jazz. However, at the time, I was happy to regard it as such, and I still am. I was not really ready for the effect that Rhapsody in Blue was to have on me. Like nothing I had heard before, or since; it raised the hairs on my arms, and stirred emotions inside me that I cannot give a name to. As soon as it had finished, I wanted to hear it again, and had to wait until I could obtain a recording.

Since then, it has reappeared many times in my life. It is on the soundtrack of the Woody Allen film, ‘Manhattan’, and has been used to sell everything, from chocolate bars, to airline travel. Like many pieces of music that you think you have never heard, it will be uncannily familiar, once you get the chanceĀ  listen to it on You Tube, or anywhere you can track it down.

For Americans in particular, I cannot stress how important this work of Gershwin is. It could not have originated from anywhere else but that country, and it does that rare thing, of personifying a nation, in sound. For the rest of you, just sit back and enjoy it, and wish you had something that spoke so well of your land.

For me, it is a snapshot into my past, and a defining moment of musical appreciation. Here is the ‘Jazz’ version, from the Paul Whiteman Orchestra.

25 thoughts on “Rhapsody in Blue”

  4. Gershwin is my favourite American composer and this is one of my favourite pieces. I love lots of jazz though I know little about it. Despite not having even been to the USA let alone having any connection with that time and place. This music is energising and life affirming. Poignant considering his tragic early death.

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  8. I cannot think of Rapsody in Blue without thinking of Gene Kelly’s wonderful An American in Paris. True magic. Thanks for resharing this post, Pete!

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  9. Gershwin’s life makes an interesting read. As a clarinetist from school I did not have the ability to play his music (due to sudden key changes) so took the easier & freer style of Acker Bilk (whose stand-in lives in my town and we have socialised). In music you know who is better than you and duly show respect. The only Gershwin I could play was ‘Summertime’.
    But Gershwin influenced many others including the UK radio orchestras. ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ is still a staple diet of the RAF Squadronaires.
    Music choice does define us. Pete you have selected well. I personally don’t have a favourite but after being adopted by the Household Cavalry. I have a love of military bands and I would be run out of London town if I didn’t say ‘The Gavin Marriott March’ was my favourite – but alas its not. Its Gilbert & Sullivan for me or a military band playing “Poet & Peasant’ or the ‘Florentiner’.

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    1. Thanks for adding your thoughts and your own musical experience, Gavin.
      I had to rescue this comment from the Trash Folder for some unknown reason.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  10. I love it, and always have: I remember my father being enamoured of it when I was very young, and he was a real music connoisseur ā€” mostly classical, but also contemporary ā€” he had a decent voice, and I believe he performed Sinatra songs in public for a short time. I consider myself lucky to have had this introduction to the variety that is possible in music, and I listen to mostly classical today, but like many of my generation, I progressed from Beatles-era pop, through ’70s ‘prog’, but then gradually started losing interest in contemporary music in the frenetic ’90s. I have fond memories of The Saturday Rock Show on the radio, with Tommy Vance, and Alan “Fluff” Freeman’s Saturday afternoon music show, with his classical music links, and his catchphrase: “Greetings, music lovers!” Cheers, Jon.

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    1. For a short time, I worked for Alan Freeman, managing a small record shop he owned in East London. He was a strange character, but very friendly. He really thought he was a ‘superstar’. šŸ™‚
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  14. Fantastic! Love Gershwin’s works and played many of them when I was young. Never had a go at Rhapsody in Blue but the mention of it makes me think that perhaps it is time to do just that. I also admire Disney’s introduction of Gershwin to young and old alike in the form of Fantasia.

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