Gershwin, George Books

Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue W /CD

Anna Harwell Celenza

Amazon Price: $14.93 List Price: $21.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Charlesbridge Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $5.29

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Arts & Music -> Performing Arts -> Fiction

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue 4 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe arrived in the United States as learners of American culture and within a generation became its creators. In print, on stage and screen, on radio and in the world of music, their children created now iconic works which consciously or unconsciously melded their Jewish roots and American experiences. A prime example is George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, a work that contains elements of Jewish, ragtime and blues music. The concerto is a living example of how a "melting pot society" led to the development of a uniquely American art form.

Through invented dialogue, the author reconstructs Gershwin's thought processes as he begins to envision the music and then creates the work. The only mention of Gershwin's Jewish heritage are references to klezmer music - e.g. "the klezmer band at Ira's bar mitzvah" - but the term is not defined. The terms "ragtime" or "blues" are also not explained. In life, Gershwin was very much influenced not only by the Jewish music of his youth but also by his exposure to African American music.

The book offers a very well written and illustrated glimpse into the creative process of a musical genius and could serve to open further discussion with young readers on the contributions of Jews to American music.

A CD of Rhapsody in Blue (from an original piano roll played by Gershwin himself) accompanies the book. For ages 8-10. Reviewed by Norman H. Finkelstein

George Gershwin (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)

Amazon Price: $6.95 List Price: $6.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Children's Press(CT) Amazon Marketplace: 33 new & used starting at $1.75

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> General
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Interesting and Enjoyable 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is one in a wonderful series of books intended to introduce young readers to the lives of famous composers. The story of George Gershwin not only tells about his life, but also gives children a feel for the time he lived in. Venezia uses details about Gershwin as a child to draw youngsters into the story. They can empathize with the young George who is seen as a "nerd" by his peers, because of his love for music. Yet he still enjoyed sports, particularly roller skating. As always, Venezia's illustrations are wonderful and I particularly enjoyed the photographs and artwork that accompanied them. All the parts come together to give children an interesting and enjoyable picture of the man and his music.

Another Great Composer Biography 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is a great representation of George Gershwin's life. A must have for every elementary school library. It has beautiful black and white and color pictures along with cartoons enhancing the story. Hyper-sensitive schools and parents may be shocked at the first photo of the book which has Gershwin sitting at the piano with a cigar in his mouth. If everyone can get past that picture by reminding children that this was before people knew that smoking was bad for your health, then you can enjoy this great biography.

Editorial Review:

The author/illustrator of the highly successful Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series lends his creative talents to another fun, informative series, this one featuring world-famous composers.

George Gershwin: His Life and Work

Howard Pollack

Amazon Price: $26.37 List Price: $39.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: University of California Press Amazon Marketplace: 34 new & used starting at $14.95

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> Classical -> General
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

This comprehensive biography of George Gershwin (1898-1937) unravels the myths surrounding one of America's most celebrated composers and establishes the enduring value of his music. Gershwin created some of the most beloved music of the twentieth century and, along with Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, and Cole Porter, helped make the golden age of Broadway golden. Howard Pollack draws from a wealth of sketches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, books, articles, recordings, films, and other materials--including a large cache of Gershwin scores discovered in a Warner Brothers warehouse in 1982--to create an expansive chronicle of Gershwin's meteoric rise to fame. He also traces Gershwin's powerful presence that, even today, extends from Broadway, jazz clubs, and film scores to symphony halls and opera houses.
Pollack's lively narrative describes Gershwin's family, childhood, and education; his early career as a pianist; his friendships and romantic life; his relation to various musical trends; his writings on music; his working methods; and his tragic death at the age of 38. Unlike Kern, Berlin, and Porter, who mostly worked within the confines of Broadway and Hollywood, Gershwin actively sought to cross the boundaries between high and low, and wrote works that crossed over into a realm where art music, jazz, and Broadway met and merged. The author surveys Gershwin's entire oeuvre, from his first surviving compositions to the melodies that his brother and principal collaborator, Ira Gershwin, lyricized after his death. Pollack concludes with an exploration of the performances and critical reception of Gershwin's music over the years, from his time to ours.

George Gershwin: A New Biography

William G. Hyland

Amazon Price: $46.95 List Price: $46.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Praeger Publishers Amazon Marketplace: 20 new & used starting at $8.33

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> Classical -> General
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Hyland's George Gershwin 3 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

I ordered this book because I've always liked Gershwin's music & happened to catch the last part of the film Rhapsody in Blue on Turner Movie Classics recently. The book does an adequate job of covering Gershwin's composing career, and indeed most of the chapters are titled according to the major composition discussed. If one is looking for in-depth information about Gershwin himself, his relationships, his family & his interests & activities outside music, the book is less satisfying. For example, one might assume from reading this book that his younger brother Arthur died in infancy as he is not mentioned except for his birthdate. Arthur actually lived to an old age, married, had kids & composed music himself. What relationship he & George had is unknown. Similarly, while Ira's wife Leonore had a part in George's life, she appears haphazardly throughout the book and little about her relationship with George is explored. George was also a painter but that is only tangentially mentioned. There is so much more that could fill out a broader, more in-depth picture of Gershwin. One could also wish for better editing to remove grammar errors & smooth out the repetitious use of some phrases as well as the jerky transitions from one subject to the next. The author's extensive research is evident & the endnotes at each chapter useful. For someone interested in Gershwin's growth as a composer, the book does a creditable job of documenting the major compositions & music events in the composer's life. For more about the man himself, readers must look elsewhere.

Editorial Review:

Hyland reveals both the man and his creations, revealing how Gershwin became the first composer to apply popular music to classical forms, how his work reflected the turmoil of America in the Jazz Age, and how, despite his fame, he never achieved the happiness and contentment a genius of his stature deserved. This is a fascinating new biography that no Gershwin fan--and no music fan--should be without.

Gershwin Remembered

Edward Jablonski

Amazon Price: $18.96 List Price: $24.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Amadeus Press Amazon Marketplace: 17 new & used starting at $7.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Performing Arts -> Theater -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Performing Arts -> Theater -> General AAS
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General

Editorial Review:

The life and work of Gershwin recalled by friends, colleagues, associates, and pupils, including Koussevitsky, Schoenberg, Richard Rodgers, and his brother Ira.

The Memory of All That: The Life of George Gershwin

Joan Peyser

Amazon Price: $17.95 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 2 to 3 weeks By: Hal Leonard Amazon Marketplace: 23 new & used starting at $5.49

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> Classical -> General
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

I have mixed feelings. 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Though I enjoyed this book tremendously, it was a guilty pleasure. Gershwin's musical life has been thoroughly documented in other books, and comparatively Joan Peyser doesn't fall too short in keeping us sufficiently well-informed of Gershwin's musical development in this book. However, her strong suit is Gershwin's personal life, and she raises some interesting theories in that area, some which seem very well-researched and others which seem to be little more than hearsay, though I give her credit for doggedly digging up such obscure hearsay. However, nothing revealed by this hearsay seems out of character for Gershwin based on what we know from earlier more scholarly biographies, so it comes across as quite believable, and answers some of the juicier questions many of us have had about Gershwin's private life. In that sense, its a real page turner.

The principles of scholarly nonfictional writing dictate that an author doesn't print information that didn't come from one or several reliable sources. Peyser has flouted that principle throughout this book. She frequently presents tantalizing bits of insider information that she obtained from a lone source, or worse yet from a person quoting another person, and in at least one memorable instance, a person quoting another person quoting another person (whew)! Having said that, essentially there are only two new theories that she pushes in this book. One, is that Gershwin had a subconscious masochistic streak in him that caused him to gravitate towards people of a cruel, insensitive, selfish, even sadistic nature (mainly because his mother was such a person), and the other, that it is a FACT, not rumor that Gershwin fathered an illegitimate son. The theory about Gershwin's masochistic streak is interesting, but it really matters not whether the reader buys it or not; it's merely an interesting thing to point out. But the theory about Gershwin's illegitimate son carries more weight, and deserves a closer look.

Other biographies, notably Charles Schwartz' 1973 biography have mentioned the alleged son and his claim to be Gershwin's progeny, immediately making the disclaimer that there is no evidence to prove or disprove his claim. Peyser, on the hand, dives head first into this controversy, throws out every bit of information on the matter that she can dig up, from solid proof to secondhand hearsay and let's the reader decide whether or not it is true. Is this responsible journalism? Probably not. Does it mean that the story is nothing more than an outlandish fabrication? No, it does not. From what we do know as fact about Gershwin, the story is quite plausible. We do know from numerous reliable sources that Gershwin was a sexual tyrannosaurus, going through scores of women in his short life. We also know that in the 1920s and 30s the use of contraception in casual sexual encounters, when it was used at all, was pretty much limited to the condom, which most men detested, and few carried around with them. We also know from old medical records, that a dancer who appeared in George White's Scandals of 1927, one of Gershwin's musicals, gave birth to an illegitimate son in 1928 who bore a striking physical resemblance to George Gershwin, even growing up to be afflicted with the same premature male pattern baldness as George Gershwin. All coincidence? Possibly. But based only these facts alone, it is not hard to believe that Gershwin fathered at illegitimate child. It would be harder to believe that he did not. The odds were certainly against him. When one factors in Joan Peyser's hearsay from friends and employees of Gershwin, it seems almost a certainty.

I do believe there are certain exceptions to the principles of scholarly journalism, however questionable and unsavory they may be. One exception is when clear factual information simply does not exist to prove a theory, and the best proof an author can come up with is sketchy and vague, e.g., Tchaikovsky's homosexuality. There is no solid proof to back up this claim OTHER than hearsay, and yet it is mentioned in all modern biographies of Tchaikovsky, and generally accepted as fact by the public. Another exception is when factual information exists but is withheld by its source, forcing the author to dig around the source for any scrap of information to corroborate what is likely true (why else would the source withhold evidence)? Such is the case with Gershwin's alleged son. In all likelihood, there is more than enough evidence to prove or disprove his legitimacy (or illegitimacy, as the case may be). If that evidence could prove his claim to be false, the Gershwin family would have come out with it years ago. So it is reasonable to deduce that the information they will not share with biographers proves the alleged son's claims to be true. It is understandable that family members as wealthy and influential as the Gershwins would seek to guard the image of so great an historical figure as George Gershwin, but it is also understandable that Peyser, sensing that she is onto something, would quote other sources less credible than the Gershwin family to make a case for an important matter in the life of her subject.

I sense that this author has a good nose for sniffing out the truth behind a story (though I can't prove it) even if what she finds cannot prove her to be right. Intuitive journalism, you might call it. I admit that this biography lacks the stamp of responsible journalism, and carries with it a whiff of lasciviousness, yet on the other hand, I believe she is barking up the right tree in most cases, even if she can't prove to our satisfaction that there's really anything up the tree.

If you're really interested in Gershwin's life, from soup to nuts, then you have to read this book, even if you disagree with every word of it.

Editorial Review:

This is a startlingly fresh account of the life of one of the greatest 20th-century Americans, composer and songwriter George Gershwin. Joan Peyser examines Gershwin's character, his complex relationship with brother and collaborator Ira, and his several romantic affairs. This 2007 edition includes newly discovered information in a new author's introduction.

George Gershwin

List Price: $16.95 By: Da Capo Pr Amazon Marketplace: 10 new & used starting at $3.50

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General AAS
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Specific Groups -> General

Editorial Review:

Shortly after George Gershwin's premature death in 1937, Merle Armitage invited Gershwin's friends and associates to contribute memories and tributes for this volume, which was first published in 1938. In these 38 articles, a range of interests are covered, comprising a portrait of a musician who exerted a huge influence on his era. Here Ira Gershwin reminisces about his brother's childhood and career; Paul Whiteman traces the history of "Rhapsody in Blue"; DuBose Hayward and Rouben Mamoulian discuss the genesis of "Porgy and Bess"; J. Rosamond Johnson examines Gershwin's African-American influences; Arnold Schoenberg discusses Gershwin the musical innovator; Harold Arlen attests to Gershwin's kindness to his fellow composers; George Gershwin summarises his approach to modern music; Oscar Hammerstein II, Isamu Noguchi, Rudy Vallee, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, and many others contribute recollections, observations and thanks. This volume also includes 16 of Gershwin's own paintings, along with many other artworks and photographs. This book provides insights into Gershwin the man and the composer.

Gershwin

Edward Jablonski

Amazon Price: $21.00 List Price: $21.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Da Capo Press Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $1.97

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> Jazz
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Thorough but academic 3 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This is probably the best Gershwin biography out there at the moment. It is very factual and academic. I wish that the author wrote in a more lively manner, though. Here we have one of the most fascinating figures of the twentieth century; an incredibly talented composer and pianist; a man who worked on Broadway, in the concert halls, in Hollywood; a man who knew many of the most fascinating figures in entertainment. You would think a biography of his life would be a spell binding page turner. No. This one drags in many places.

Good information, but poorly written 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Surprisingly poorly written. Much of the book seems like it was thrown together from various notes without the benefit of a rewrite or an editor. A person will be introduced in one paragraph as so-and-so's friend who did such-and-such, only to be reintroduced again the same way a couple of paragraphs later.

Conversely, though less often, someone will be referred to by last name only with no introduction, prompting the reader to rescan the preceding paragraphs, thinking he missed something.

The result is that many of the stories the author tells are murky and confusing. It's also clear that he doesn't know a lot about music, though that may be OK if that's not the approach you're looking for. On the plus side, the book seems well-researched and contains a lot of detail. It's a shame he didn't go the extra step of having a cowriter or at least a good editor.

Editorial Review:

Enriched with excerpts and insights from personal correspondence and interviews--plus lively anecdotes and rare, never-before-published photographs--this fascinating portrait brings us closer to the real persona of George Gershwin than ever before. 81 black-and-white photographs.

The Music of Gershwin (Composers of the Twentieth Century Serie)

Steven E. Gilbert

Amazon Price: $59.00 List Price: $59.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Yale University Press Amazon Marketplace: 25 new & used starting at $19.79

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Entertainment -> Music -> Musical Genres -> Classical -> Composers -> Gershwin, George
Subjects -> Entertainment -> Music -> Musical Genres -> Popular
Subjects -> Entertainment -> Music -> Reference -> Discographies & Buyer's Guides

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The Music of Gershwin 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This book is actually what its title purports it to be about. When you open this book, you'll find little biographical material about the life and times of Gershwin. Rather, as the title suggests, 'The Music of Gershwin' is about just that; the music. Containing interesting printed pieces of music as visual examples, 'The Music of Gershwin' contains visual examples of two types: 1) primary sources: actual photocopied hand-written music of George Gershwin, himself, and 2) secondary sources: transcriptions of Gershwin's music printed by the authors based either on the original written music or performances thereof. Both are intended to illustrate observations made by the authors.

In this book, there are short forays into the informational substance surrounding the musical examples presented, but they are often done so in the context of classical music history or music theory nomenclature. However, there is enough layman's material to grab onto here even if you are educated in neither music history nor music theory. There is a wealth of musical information here and there is a surplus of substance to take with it. Choose from it what you will. Even the educated musician will not be able to absorb all the information presented here in one sitting.

This book is not recommended for those people who are looking for a biography on the life of George Gershwin. 'The Music of Gershwin' is more simply about the music with short forays into what may have inspired the music biographically in terms of Gerwhin's involvement in the study of classical and popular music. In short, this is more about the music of Gershwin than Gershwin the man.

Editorial Review:

This book is the first in-depth analysis of George Gershwin`s entire compositional oeuvre, including his concert music. Written in a fluid, conversational style and illustrated with numerous musical examples, some of which have never before been published, it weaves biographical material with musical analysis and presents a chronological study of Gershwin`s career.

The Gershwin Years - George and Ira

Edward Jablonski, Lawrence D. Stewart

Amazon Price: $20.00 List Price: $20.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Da Capo Press Amazon Marketplace: 25 new & used starting at $4.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> Composers & Musicians -> General AAS
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> Arts & Literature -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Both the definitive biography of the Gershwin brothers and a lavishly illustrated chronicle of the American era their music and lyrics embodied, The Gershwin Years celebrates the musical achievements of George (1898–1937) and Ira (1896–1983) while offering a revealing inside look at their lives. The brothers drew inspiration from its varied faces—black culture from Porgie and Bess, the frantic sophistication of the 1920s for such musical comedies as Funny Face and Girl Crazy, the tumult of American politics for the satirical Of Thee I Sing. From George's Tin Pan Alley days as a song plugger and Ira's first attempts at lyric writing to their conquest of Broadway and Hollywood, from their collaborations and George's solo compositions (Rhapsody in Blue, Concerto in F, and An American in Paris) to George’s death from a brain tumor and Ira's later work with Kern, Weill, and Arlen, The Gershwin Years presents an authoritative, visually stunning, and altogether delightful account of the "Wright Brothers" of American music.