george gershwin :: essays research papers

In 1910, the Gershwins had acquired a softly for Iras music lessons, but George took over, successfully play by ear. He tried out various piano teachers for twain years, then was introduced to Charles Hambitzer, who acted as Georges mentor until Hambitzers death in 1918. Hambitzer taught George conventional piano technique, introduced him to the music of the European masters, and encouraged him to attend orchestral concerts. (At home following(a) such concerts, young George would attempt to reproduce at the keyboard the music he had heard). He later studied with classical composer Rubin Goldmark.His 1916 novelty rag "Rialto Ripples" was a commercial success, and in 1918 he scored his first big national despatch with his song "Swanee".In 1924, George and Ira collaborated on a musical comedy, lady Be Good. It included standards as "Fascinating Rhythm" and "The Man I Love." This was followed by Oh, Kay (1926) Funny Face in (1927) Strike Up the dea l (1927 & 1930) Girl Crazy (1930), which introduced the standard "I Got Rhythm" and Of Thee I Sing (1931), the first musical comedy to win a Pulitzer Prize.It was in Hollywood, while working on the score of The Goldwyn Follies, that George Gershwin collapsed and, on July 11, 1937, died of a nous tumour. He was interred in the Westchester Hills Cemetery, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.Gershwin had a ten-year affair with composer Kay lively. lively was a frequent consult of Gershwin he named the musical Oh, Kay after her. Posthumously, Swift arranged some of his music, transcribed some of his recordings, and collaborated with Ira on several(prenominal) projects.Gershwin died intestate and all his property passed to his father.