Saturday, April 01, 2023

MUSICAL HISTORY - GEORGE GERSHWIN LIVE in 1924!

Listen closely to this wonderful composer-pianist playing live in 1924!


Original acoustic recording 10th June 1924 of George Gershwin's classic composition with Gershwin at the piano. Released on both sides of a 12'' 78 rpm record Amazing sound quality for an acoustic recording from the clarinet glissando ( played by Ross Gorman who played it as a joke for Gershwin during rehearsals for the première, Gershwin liked it so it stayed) the piano and orchestra. Gershwin and Whiteman recorded it electrically 21st April 1927. Paul Whiteman commissioned George Gershwin to write him an extended piece aiming to be the first artist to perform an all jazz concert at the Aeolian Hall in New York. He set a target of February 1924. Gershwin refused saying there wasn't enough time, however in early January 1924 his brother Ira brought to his attention an article in the New York Tribune about the concert stating that George was working on a 'Jazz Concerto'.

Gershwin spoke to Whiteman the next morning and was told Vincent Lopez was planning to steal the idea of the concert. Gershwin finally won over set about the work on January 7th and had it completed in a few weeks, Ferde Grofe, Whiteman's arranger was given the score to orchestrate. The concert went ahead on 12th February 1924 with Gershwin at the piano.





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