George Gershwin

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Biography

Born: 1898   Died: 1937   Country: USA   Period: 20th Century
In a career tragically cut short in mid-stride by a brain tumor, George Gershwin (1898-1937) proved himself to be not only one of the great songwriters of his extremely rich era, but also a gifted "serious" composer who bridged the worlds of classical and popular music. The latter is all the more striking, given that, of his contemporaries, Gershwin was the most influenced by such styles as jazz and blues.

Gershwin's first Read more major hit, interpolated into the show Sinbad in 1919, was "Swanee," sung by Al Jolson. Gershwin wrote both complete scores and songs for such variety shoes as George White's Scandals (whose annual editions thus were able to introduce such songs as "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise" and "Somebody Loves Me").

After 1924, Gershwin worked primarily with his brother Ira as his lyricist. The two scored a series of Broadway hits in the '20s and early '30s, starting with Lady Be Good (1924), which included the song "Fascinatin' Rhythm." 1924 was also the year Gershwin composed his first classical piece, "Rhapsody in Blue," and he would continue to work in the classical field until his death.

By the '30s, the Gershwins had turned to political topics and satire in response to the onset of the Depression, and their Of Thee I Sing became the first musical to win a Pulitzer Prize. In the mid '30s, Gershwin ambitiously worked to meld his show music and classical leanings in the creation of the folk opera Porgy and Bess, with lyrics by Ira and Dubose Heyward. The Gershwins had moved to Hollywood and were engaged in several movie projects at the time of George Gershwin's death. Read less

Featured George Gershwin CDs & DVDs:

Ravel, Gershwin, Bernstein, Glazunov / Nakarjakov, Markovich
Ravel, Gershwin, Bernstein, Glazunov / Nakarjakov, Markovich
Release Date: 09/07/1993   Label: Teldec  
Catalog: 77705   Number of Discs: 1
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Gershwin Among Friends / Keller, Ridenour, Ordman, Et Al
Gershwin Among Friends / Keller, Ridenour, Ordman, Et Al
Release Date: 02/03/1998   Label: Albany Records  
Catalog: 274   Number of Discs: 1
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Gershwin, Ravel: Piano Concertos / Grimaud, Zinman
Gershwin, Ravel: Piano Concertos / Grimaud, Zinman
Release Date: 11/25/1997   Label: Erato  
Catalog: 19571   Number of Discs: 1
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Valentines- Antheil, Scott, Gershwin, Etc / Marthanne Verbit
Valentines- Antheil, Scott, Gershwin, Etc / Marthanne Verbit
Release Date: 05/19/1995   Label: Albany Records  
Catalog: 71   Number of Discs: 1
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Gershwin: Porgy And Bess Arrangements, Etc /Fazil Say, Et Al
Gershwin: Porgy And Bess Arrangements, Etc /Fazil Say, Et Al
Release Date: 04/25/2000   Label: Teldec  
Catalog: 426202   Number of Discs: 1
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Work: Cuban Overture

Browse 26-50 of 55 Available Recordings
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  • 26.
    Gershwin: Porgy And Bess Suite, Cuban Overture, Etc
    Gershwin: Porgy And Bess Suite, Cuban Overture, Etc
    Label: Philips Silverline Classics   Catalog: 432511 Release Date: 08/06/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Werner Haas
    Conductor:  Edo De Waart,  Eliahu Inbal
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Monte Carlo Opera Orchestra
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  • 27.
    Gershwin: Piano Concerto In F, Etc / Nakamatsu, Et Al
    Gershwin: Piano Concerto In F, Etc / Nakamatsu, Et Al
    Label: Harmonia Mundi   Catalog: 807441 Release Date: 05/08/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Jon Nakamatsu,  Kenneth Grant
    Conductor:  Jeff Tyzik
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 28.
    James Levine - Documents Of The Munich Years Vol 7
    James Levine - Documents Of The Munich Years Vol 7
    Label: Oehms   Catalog: 507 Release Date: 05/09/2006   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Charles Ives,  John Harbison,  George Gershwin
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 29.
    James Levine - Documents Of The Munich Years
    James Levine - Documents Of The Munich Years
    Label: Oehms   Catalog: 509 Release Date: 08/01/2005   Number of Discs: 12
    Composer:  Richard Wagner,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Charles Ives,  John Harbison  ... 
    Performer:  Ben Heppner,  James Morris,  Linda Watson,  Birgitta Svendén  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Munich Philharmonic Orchestra,  Munich Philharmonic Choir,  Bamberg Symphony Chorus
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  • 30.
    Gershwin, Grainger / Anna And Ines Walachowski
    Gershwin, Grainger / Anna And Ines Walachowski
    Label: Berlin Classics   Catalog: 1248 Release Date: 06/28/2005   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin,  Percy Aldridge Grainger
    Performer:  Anna Walachowski,  Ines Walachowski
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  • 31.
    The Story Of American Classical Music / Scherer, Et Al
    The Story Of American Classical Music / Scherer, Et Al
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8558164-65 Release Date: 06/21/2005   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  John Adams,  Philip Glass,  George Rochberg,  Elliott Carter  ... 
    Performer:  Adele Anthony,  Peter Skaerved,  Mark Wait,  Mike Eldred  ... 
    Conductor:  Marin Alsop,  Takuo Yuasa,  Christopher Lyndon-Gee,  Kenneth Schermerhorn  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bournemouth Sinfonietta Orchestra,  Ulster Orchestra,  Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra  ... 
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  • 32.
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Etc / Wild, Fiedler
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Etc / Wild, Fiedler
    Label: Rca Victor Living Stereo   Catalog: 61393 Release Date: 01/25/2005   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Earl Wild
    Conductor:  Arthur Fiedler
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Boston Pops
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  • 33.
    Misbehavin' / The Denver Brass
    Misbehavin' / The Denver Brass
    Label: Klavier Records   Catalog: 77034 Release Date: 12/09/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Fats Waller,  Cootie Williams,  W.C. Handy,  Tony Klatka  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Denver Brass
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  • 34.
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Cuban Overture, Etc/ Dorati, Etc
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Cuban Overture, Etc/ Dorati, Etc
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 473844 Release Date: 03/11/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Conductor:  Antal Doráti,  Lorin Maazel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Detroit Symphony Orchestra,  Cleveland Orchestra
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  • 35.
    Essential Gershwin - 20 Of His Greatest Masterpieces
    Essential Gershwin - 20 Of His Greatest Masterpieces
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 472780 Release Date: 02/11/2003   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Barbara Hendricks,  Marielle Labèque,  Katia Labèque,  Patti Austin  ... 
    Conductor:  John Mauceri,  Arthur Fiedler,  Bernard Herrmann,  Riccardo Chailly  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra,  Boston Pops,  London Festival Orchestra Ensemble  ... 
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  • 36.
    Music For A Golden Sky
    Music For A Golden Sky
    Label: Mark Custom Recording Service,   Catalog: 4721 Release Date: 01/01/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Scott Boerma,  Philip Sparke,  Carolyn Bremer,  Luigi Zaninelli  ... 
    Conductor:  James Keene
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Illinois State University Wind Symphony
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  • 37.
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Etc / Wayne Marshall
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Etc / Wayne Marshall
    Label: Virgin Classics   Catalog: 61247 Release Date: 09/10/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Wayne Marshall
    Conductor:  Wayne Marshall
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Aalborg Symphony Orchestra
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  • 38.
    American Classics - Gershwin / James Judd, New Zealand So
    American Classics - Gershwin / James Judd, New Zealand So
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8559107 Release Date: 05/21/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Robert Russell Bennett,  George Gershwin
    Conductor:  James Judd
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
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  • 39.
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Cuban Overture, Etc / Marshall
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Cuban Overture, Etc / Marshall
    Label: Virgin Classics Special Import   Catalog: 62056 Release Date: 05/07/2002   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Wayne Marshall
    Conductor:  Wayne Marshall
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Aalborg Symphony Orchestra
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  • 40.
    Gershwin: Concerto In F, Etc / Haas, Et Al
    Gershwin: Concerto In F, Etc / Haas, Et Al
    Label: Philips   Catalog: 468136 Release Date: 03/27/2001   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Werner Haas
    Conductor:  Edo De Waart,  Eliahu Inbal
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Monte Carlo Opera Orchestra
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  • 41.
    The Best Of Gershwin
    The Best Of Gershwin
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8556686 Release Date: 02/20/2001   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Kathryn Selby,  Leon Bates
    Conductor:  Richard Hayman
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Richard Hayman Orchestra,  Slovak State Symphony Orchestra
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  • 42.
    The Best Of Gershwin - Rhapsody In Blue, I Got Rhythm, Etc
    The Best Of Gershwin - Rhapsody In Blue, I Got Rhythm, Etc
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 80542 Release Date: 01/23/2001   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  John O'Conor,  William Tritt,  Harolyn Blackwell
    Conductor:  Erich Kunzel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cincinnati Pops
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  • 43.
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Etc / Bernstein
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Etc / Bernstein
    Label: Dg Panorama   Catalog: 469139 Release Date: 09/26/2000   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Gil Shaham,  André Previn,  David Finck,  Werner Haas  ... 
    Conductor:  James Levine,  Eliahu Inbal,  Edo De Waart,  André Previn  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Chicago Symphony Orchestra,  Monte Carlo Opera Orchestra,  Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra  ... 
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  • 44.
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, An American In Paris Etc / Ivan Davis Et Al
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, An American In Paris Etc / Ivan Davis Et Al
    Label: Eloquence   Catalog: 4674102 Release Date: 09/04/2000  
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Ivan Davis
    Conductor:  Antal Doráti,  Lorin Maazel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Detroit Symphony Orchestra,  Cleveland Orchestra
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  • 45.
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue / An American In Paris
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue / An American In Paris
    Label: Eloquence   Catalog: 4581742 Release Date: 08/01/1999  
    Composer:  Aaron Copland,  George Gershwin
    Conductor:  Zubin Mehta,  Lorin Maazel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra,  Cleveland Orchestra
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  • 46.
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Etc / Maazel, Fiedler
    Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue, Etc / Maazel, Fiedler
    Label: Penguin Classics   Catalog: 460612 Release Date: 10/20/1998   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Ivan Davis
    Conductor:  Frank Chacksfield,  Arthur Fiedler,  Lorin Maazel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Frank Chacksfield & His Orchestra,  Boston Pops,  Cleveland Orchestra
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  • 47.
    Gershwin: Complete Orchestral Collection / Erich Kunzel
    Gershwin: Complete Orchestral Collection / Erich Kunzel
    Label: Telarc   Catalog: 80445 Release Date: 05/26/1998   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  William Tritt,  Tim Berens,  Stewart Goodyear
    Conductor:  Erich Kunzel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cincinnati Pops,  Central State University Chorus
    CD: $25.99
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  • 48.
    Gershwin: Dayful Of Song / Litton, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
    Gershwin: Dayful Of Song / Litton, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
    Label: Delos   Catalog: 3216 Release Date: 05/22/1997   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Andrew Litton,  Stephen Girko
    Conductor:  Andrew Litton
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Dallas Symphony Orchestra
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  • 49.
    Rhapsody In Brass - George Gershwin / Munich Brass
    Rhapsody In Brass - George Gershwin / Munich Brass
    Label: Orfeo   Catalog: 306931 Release Date: 12/12/1995   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Gershwin
    Performer:  Giuseppe Solera,  Norman Shelter
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Munich Brass Ensemble
    CD: $22.49
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  • 50.
    100 Fiedler Favorites
    100 Fiedler Favorites
    Label: Rca Victor Gold Seal   Catalog: 62698 Release Date: 10/11/1994   Number of Discs: 7
    Composer:  Jacob Gade,  Stevie Wonder,  George Cory,  Jerry Herman  ... 
    Performer:  Leo Litwin,  Earl Wild,  Pasquale Cardillo,  Toni Noichl  ... 
    Conductor:  Arthur Fiedler
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Boston Pops
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