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George Gershwin

George Gershwin (; born Jacob Gershwine; September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist whose compositions spanned popular, jazz and classical genres. Among his best-known works are the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American in Paris (1928), the songs "Swanee" (1919) and "Fascinating Rhythm" (1924), the jazz standards "Embraceable You" (1928) and "I Got Rhythm" (1930), and the opera Porgy and Bess (1935), which included the hit "Summertime".

Gershwin studied piano under Charles Hambitzer and composition with Rubin Goldmark, Henry Cowell, and Joseph Brody. He began his career as a song plugger but soon started composing Broadway theater works with his brother Ira Gershwin and with Buddy DeSylva. He moved to Paris, intending to study with Nadia Boulanger, but she refused him, afraid that rigorous classical study would ruin his jazz-influenced style; Maurice Ravel voiced similar objections when Gershwin inquired about studying with him. He subsequently composed An American in Paris, returned to New York City and wrote Porgy and Bess with Ira and DuBose Heyward. Initially a commercial failure, it came to be considered one of the most important American operas of the twentieth century and an American cultural classic.

Gershwin moved to Hollywood and composed numerous film scores. He died in 1937, only 38 years old, of a brain tumor.

His compositions have been adapted for use in film and television, with many becoming jazz standards.

Birth and Death Data: Born September 26, 1898 (Brooklyn), Died July 11, 1937 (Hollywood)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1919 - 1951

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, piano, session supervisor, conductor, celeste

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 513 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-30807 10-in. 9/9/1924 Somebody loves me Aileen Stanley Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-30833 10-in. 9/19/1924 Nashville nightingale Pennsylvanians ; Fred Waring Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-31278 10-in. 12/11/1924 Fascinating rhythm Ted Weems Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-31554 10-in. 12/29/1924 Fascinating rhythm Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-31555 10-in. 12/29/1924 Oh, lady be good! Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-32570 10-in. 5/5/1925 Tell me more! Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-32571 10-in. 5/5/1925 Why do I love you? Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-34177 10-in. 12/24/1925 That certain feeling Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-34178 10-in. 12/24/1925 Sweet and low-down Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-34325 10-in. 1/13/1926 Looking for a boy Roger Wolfe Kahn Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-34326 10-in. 1/13/1926 Song of the flame Roger Wolfe Kahn Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-34342 10-in. 1/19/1926 Cossack love song International Novelty Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-34524 10-in. 2/4/1926 Song of the flame Victor Light Opera Company Vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-34525 10-in. 2/4/1926 Cossack love song Victor Light Opera Company Vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra composer  
Victor CVE-34614 12-in. 2/12/1926 Gems from Tip-toes The Revelers Mixed vocal chorus and soloists, with 2 pianos composer  
Victor BVE-36653 10-in. 10/29/1926 Do, do, do Gertrude Lawrence Female vocal solo, with piano composer  
Victor BVE-36654 10-in. 10/29/1926 Someone to watch over me Gertrude Lawrence Female vocal solo, with piano (takes 1-3); with 2 pianos (take 4) composer  
Victor BVE-36902 10-in. 11/4/1926 Clap yo' hands Roger Wolfe Kahn Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-36910 10-in. 11/6/1926 Do-do-do George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio composer  
Victor BVE-36924 10-in. 11/12/1926 Someone to watch over me George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-36992 10-in. 12/2/1926 Clap yo' hands Whispering Jack Smith Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-37033 10-in. 11/30/1926 Maybe Jesse Crawford Pipe organ solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-37119 10-in. 12/10/1926 Maybe Franklyn Baur Male vocal solo, with 2 pianos composer  
Victor BVE-37124 10-in. 12/13/1926 Oh, Kay! : Medley fox trot Edgar Fairchild ; Ralph Rainger Piano duet composer  
Victor CVE-37723 12-in. 1/14/1927 Gems from Oh, Kay! The Revelers Vocal chorus and soloists, with 2 pianos composer  
(Results 26-50 of 513 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Gershwin, George," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102427.

Gershwin, George. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102427.

"Gershwin, George." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102427

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