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George Gershwin

George Gershwin (Composer)

Born: 26th September 1898, Brooklyn, New York

Died: 11th July 1937, Los Angeles

Nationality: American

George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist, whose compositions spanned both popular and classical genres. Among his best-known works are the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American in Paris (1928), the songs "Swanee" (1919) and "Fascinating Rhythm" (1924), the jazz standards "Embraceable You" (1928) and "I Got Rhythm" (1930), and the opera Porgy and Bess (1935), which included the hit "Summertime".

Gershwin studied piano under Charles Hambitzer and composition with Rubin Goldmark, Henry Cowell, and Joseph Brody. He began his career as a song plugger but soon started composing Broadway theater works with his brother Ira Gershwin and with Buddy DeSylva. He moved to Paris intending to study with Nadia Boulanger, but she refused him, afraid that rigorous classical study would ruin his jazz-influenced style; Maurice Ravel voiced similar objections when Gershwin inquired on studying with him.

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Essential Repertoire, Piano Sheet Music Essentials: George Gershwin

In our Piano Sheet Music Essentials series, we aim to offer recommendations of popular and well-known piano pieces by a selection of celebrated composers. This article focuses on the work of George Gershwin, American composer and pianist, whose compositions spanned both popular and classical genres.

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