Presented by
Robert Butts

 

George Gershwin constantly strove to bring his compositions and shows to new artistic levels.    Starting as a songwriter whose songs were the hits of reviews, he began working with his brother Ira in 1920 on their first major show: Lady, Be Good.    Together they contributed hit songs to the leading shows of the 1920s.   Working with writers like George Kaufman, Gershwin created shows that had a satiric social commentary edge to them like Strike up the Band and Of Thee I Sing.  In 1935, he bridged the gap between Broadway and opera with Porgy and Bess.  At the same time, Gershwin composed music for the concert stage, starting with Rhapsody in Blue in 1924, composed for a concert of modern music arranged by his colleague Paul Whiteman.    The success of Rhapsody in Blue led to commissions for the Piano Concerto, An American in Paris and other works that have become part of every orchestra's repertoire.