THE GERSHWIN PROJECT
…..seriously seeking the man behind the music
PROGRAM NO. / PROGRAM TITLE / PROGRAM DURATION1 / Introduction / 29:30
Part A: George Gershwin – A Life Through Music
2 / The Early Years - 1898 to 1919 / 29:30
3 / The Early Shows and a Rhapsody - 1919 to 1924 / 29:30
4 / ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ - 1924 / 29:30
5 / Broadway, London and ‘An American In Paris’ - 1924 -1928 / 29:30
6 / More Broadway Hits - 1929 – 1931 / 29:30
7 / A ‘Second Rhapsody’, more Broadway shows and an opera - 1931 – 1935 / 29:30
8 / Hollywood Ending - 1935 -1937 / 29:30
Part B: George Gershwin – Up Close
9 / George Gershwin’s Song-Book Part 1 / 29:30
10 / George Gershwin’s Song-Book Part 2 / 29:30
11 / Two Very Different Broadway Shows – ‘Funny Face’ and ‘Rosalie’ / 29:30
12 / ‘Concerto in F’ / 29:30
13 / Disappearing Act: ‘Pardon My English’ and ‘Two Waltzes In C’ / 29:30
14 / “George White’s ‘Scandals’” / 29:30
15 / England and Broadway – ‘Primrose’ and ‘Lady, Be Good!’ / 29:30
16 / Homesick Blues: ‘An American In Paris’ / 29:30
17 / George Gershwin’s Radio Programs / 29:30
18 / ‘Porgy And Bess’: An American Opera / 29:30
19 / The Almost Lost ‘Tip Toes’ and the Ever Popular ‘Oh Kay!’ / 29:30
20 / Preludes, Sketches & Transcriptions / 29:30
21 / ‘Girl Crazy’ and “’I Got Rhythm’ Variations” / 29:30
22 / Going Hollywood/Going Latin: ‘Delicious’, Second Rhapsody’ and ‘Cuban Overture’ / 29:30
23 / Gershwin After Gershwin / 29:30
24 / Forgotten Shows - Great Music / 29:30
25 / Continuing the Gershwin Legacy / 29:30
26 / Finale / 29:30
THE GERSHWIN PROJECT
…..seriously seeking the man behind the music
Program 1: Introduction (Duration: 29:30)
Beginning with an emotion-charged performance of ‘Swanee’ by Al Jolson soon after George Gershwin’s death in 1937, the scene is set to explore his catalogue of hundreds of songs, piano music and orchestral pieces. Bert Whelan, Canberra resident and Gershwin collector for 60 years, sets us off on the right path with access to his collection of amazingly rare recordings as well as key examples of Gershwin’s well-known works and the artists who performed them. Performances by Dinah Shore, Rosemary Clooney, Michel Feinstein and George Gershwin himself lead the way for us to begin seeking the man behind the music……
Part A: George Gershwin – A Life Through Music
In programs 2 to 7, we take a brief chronological look at George Gershwin’s work from his beginnings until his death in 1937.
Program 2: The Early Years - 1898 to 1919 (Duration: 29:30)
We explore George’s early life from 1898 to 1919. We hear interviews with his contemporaries, Kay Swift and Irving Caesar, and his brother, Ira Gershwin. Rare recordings of George’s earliest published works ‘Ragging The Traumerei’, ‘Rialto Ripples’ and ‘You-oo, Just You’, illustrate the talent that burst out early in his life. Performances are by George Gershwin himself, Michael Feinstein, Julia Sanderson, Maureen McGovern and others.
Program 3: The Early Shows and a Rhapsody - 1919 to 1924 (Duration: 29:30)
In 1919, George’s song ‘Swanee’ became a huge hit. He was now in demand to write Broadway musicals and revues. We hear the original arrangement of ‘Swanee’ as it was before Al Jolson made it a hit. There are songs from ‘George White’s Scandals’, such as ‘I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise’ and others not so well-known. We have rare recordings from George’s long-forgotten early musicals, too. Paul Whiteman, the conductor, describes how he encouraged George to write his ‘Rhapsody in Blue’. Elaine Stritch, Barbara Cook, Al Jolson, Georges Guetary and even Anthony Perkins sing the memorable and often rare songs.
Program 4: ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ (Duration: 29:29)
In 1922, George Gershwin wrote a one-act opera for the ‘George White’s Scandals of 1922’ called ‘Blue Monday’. It wasn’t a success but Paul Whiteman, the musical conductor of the ‘Scandals’, noticed something special in the composition and invited George to write a work for a jazz concert. He produced the ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, surely one of the most well-known orchestral works of the 20th century. This program showcases performances by Oscar Levant, Alicia Zizzo and George Gershwin himself.
Program 5: Broadway, London and ‘An American In Paris’ - 1924 -1928 (Duration: 29:30)
We explore George’s first massive hit Broadway show from 1924, ‘Lady Be Good’ with recordings of George himself playing piano for Fred Astaire and his sister, Adele. There’s also other music from this busy period in George’s life including the ‘Concerto in F’, more Broadway shows (‘Oh, Kay!’), a show in London (‘Primrose’) and ‘An American In Paris.’ Interviews with Ira Gershwin and Michael Feinstein provide fascinating background detail to the musical works. Singing are Fred and Adele Astaire, Christine Ebersole, Gertrude Lawrence and Blossom Dearie.
Program 6: More Broadway Hits - 1929 – 1931 (Duration: 29:30)
George Gershwin continued to write the music for memorable shows like ‘Strike Up The Band’, ‘Girl Crazy’ and ‘Of Thee I Sing’. We hear performances by Ethel Merman, Ella Fitzgerald, ‘Red’ Nicholls and his Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, Larry Kert and Maureen McGovern.
Program 7: A ‘Second Rhapsody’, more Broadway shows and an opera - 1931 – 1935 (Duration: 29:30)
While writing more serious music like the ‘Second Rhapsody’, George continued to produce music for Broadway shows. In this program we hear music from ‘Pardon My English’, ‘Let ‘Em Eat Cake’ and his opera ‘Porgy And Bess’. Barbra Streisand, Frances Gershwin (George’s sister), Todd Duncan and Ann Brown, the original stars of ‘Porgy And Bess’, George himself on the piano and others provide the musical highlights of this program.
Program 8: Hollywood Ending - 1935 -1937 (Duration: 29:30)
Between 1935 and his early death in 1937, George wrote the music for three movies – ‘Shall We Dance’ and ‘A Damsel in Distress’ for star Fred Astaire and commenced work on the ‘The Goldwyn Follies’. Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Kenny Baker and Australia’s Kerrie Biddell sing some of the memorable songs from these movies. Interviews include choreographer Hermes Pan, Ira Gershwin and Michael Feinstein.
Part B: George Gershwin – Up Close
In programs 8 to 25, we go in-depth and up-close in our search for George Gershwin.
Program 9: George Gershwin’s Song-Book Part 1 (Duration: 29:30)
In 1932, George published ‘George Gershwin’s Song-book’ which contained 18 songs chosen by George. Over the years, most of these songs have become ‘standards’ for singers who have interpreted them in many styles. Program 8 looks at 9 of these songs in detail. We hear Alberta Hunter, Glenn Miller and his orchestra, Mitzi Gaynor, Michael Feinstein, Liza Minnelli and others with their renditions of these marvellous songs.
Program10: George Gershwin’s Song-Book Part 2 (Duration: 29:30)
Continuing our exploration of ‘George Gershwin’s Song-Book’, published in 1932, we look in depth at the remaining 9 songs, including a bonus song that was included in the book. There are performances by Carol Channing, Julie Andrews, Sarah Vaughan, Judy Garland, Paul Whiteman and his orchestra, George Gershwin himself and others.
Program 11: Two Very Different Broadway Shows – ‘Funny Face’ and ‘Rosalie’ (Duration: 29:30)
In 1927, George Gershwin wrote two very different Broadway shows – ‘Funny Face’ and ‘Rosalie’. We explore the curious link between these shows and a revival many years later. We hear singers Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, Frances Gershwin and Twiggy as well as George Gershwin himself on the piano. Ira Gershwin provides interesting commentaries on some of the songs.
Program 12: ‘Concerto in F’ (Duration: 29:30)
It’s 1925 and, as well as composing more Broadway shows like ‘Tell Me More’, George Gershwin wrote ‘Concerto in F’ for the concert stage. Fully orchestrated, it’s a thrilling work, but it was originally composed for two pianos. We’ll hear the Labeque Sisters playing the two piano version as well as George Gershwin himself in the only recording made of him playing his ‘Concerto in F’.
Program 13: Disappearing Act: ‘Pardon My English’ and ‘Two Waltzes In C’ (Duration: 29:30)
The Gershwin musical ‘Pardon My English’ opened in 1933, was not a success and completely disappeared. In 1982, the long-lost score and orchestrations were found and a new recording was made to great acclaim. We’ll hear some dazzling selections from this recording and wonder why the show was not a success. One of the songs in the show ‘Tonight’ was such a favourite of George Gershwin’s that he turned it into a piece for two pianos and called it ‘Two Waltzes in C’. We’ll hear it played by the accomplished piano duo, Frances Veri and Michael Jaminus.
Program 14: “George White’s ‘Scandals’” (Duration: 29:30)
Handsome hoofer, George White produced his lavish revues ‘George White’s Scandals’ on Broadway for 20 years from 1919 to 1939. George Gershwin wrote the music for 5 in a row from 1920. We’ll hear the enduring ‘Somebody Loves Me’, the cheeky ‘Scandal Walk’, the delightful ‘Drifting Along With The Tide’ and, the most famous of all, ‘I’ll Build A Stairway to Paradise’. Artists featured include Barbara Cook, Anthony Perkins, Elaine Stritch and, maybe, Ingrid Bergman!
Program 15: England and Broadway – ‘Primrose’ and ‘Lady, Be Good!’ (Duration: 29:30)
In 1924, George Gershwin had two hit shows on both sides of the Atlantic. ‘Primrose’ opened in London and, from the original 1924 cast recording we hear ‘Boy Wanted’ and ‘Some Far-Away Someone’. ‘Lady, Be Good!’ was George’s first smash hit in New York. Billie Holliday performs ‘The Man I Love’ and Fred and Adele Astaire perform two numbers from the show accompanied by George Gershwin himself on piano.
Program 16: Homesick Blues: ‘An American In Paris’ (Duration: 29:30)
Everyone knows ‘An American In Paris’, but did you know it was written originally for two pianos? We’ll hear the LaBeque Sisters playing the ‘blues’ section from this version as well as the famous original recording from 1929 of the work fully orchestrated. We’ll also hear a selection from the little-known ballet ‘An American In Paris’ from the forgotten 1929 musical ‘Show Girl’.
Program 17: George Gershwin’s Radio Programs (Duration: 29:30)
In 1934, George Gershwin looked for ways to finance the time he would spend writing his opera ‘Porgy And Bess’. He agreed to do a twice weekly radio program. Long thought lost, two recordings of these programs were found. It’s another opportunity for us to hear George at the piano, playing and talking about his work. You’ll also hear why a laxative assisted the writing of ‘Porgy And Bess’?
Program 18: ‘Porgy And Bess’: An American Opera (Duration: 29:30)
In 1935, George Gershwin wrote what has become the best-known American opera, ‘Porgy and Bess’. We hear interviews with the original stars, Todd Duncan and Anne Brown, talking about working with George Gershwin. There’s also a song deleted originally from the score and not heard again until 1980. You’ll hear performances by Billie Holliday as well as Robert McFerrin and Cab Calloway among others.
Program 19: The Almost Lost ‘Tip Toes’ and the Ever Popular ‘Oh Kay!’ (Duration: 29:30)
We focus on two Gershwin shows that were popular in their original productions. Why then did one disappear for 30 years while the other had frequent revivals? From the score of ‘Tip-Toes’ we hear the hit song ‘That Certain Feeling’ and the sweetly romantic ‘Looking For The Boy’ with performances by Emily Loesser (daughter of ‘Guys And Dolls’ composer Frank Loesser) and others. Gertrude Lawrence and George Gershwin himself present hits from ‘Oh, Kay!’ and Patrick Cassidy gives us the very danceable ‘Fidgety Feet’.
Program 20: Preludes, Sketches & Transcriptions (Duration: 29:30)
In response to a heated public debate about the merits of jazz, George Gershwin wrote and performed 5 Preludes to show how worthy and dignified a jazz program could really be. We’ll hear George himself and others playing the Preludes. After his death, his estate released various pieces and sketches of music composed by George. This program contains a selection of these pieces, most of them rarely heard before. And just to se if you’ve really been paying attention during the series, there’s a test for you to take concerning George’s transcriptions of arrangements of his popular songs.
Program 21: ‘Girl Crazy’ and “’I Got Rhythm’ Variations” (Duration: 29:30)
The 1930 ‘Girl Crazy’ produced more hit songs than any other Gershwin show. It also introduced Ethel Merman to Broadway. You’ll find out how Fred Astaire danced with Ginger Rogers for the first time. We’ll hear songs from ‘Girl Crazy’ sung by Lorna Luft, Ethel Merman (of course), Dick Robertson and Red Nicholls band and George Gershwin himself introduces and plays his major work ‘Variations on “I Got Rhythm”’
Program 22: Going Hollywood/Going Latin: ‘Delicious’, ‘Second Rhapsody’ and ‘Cuban Overture’ (Duration: 29:30)
In 1931, George and Ira Gershwin went to Hollywood for the first time to write the music for the film ‘Delicious’. His score included an extended sequence which he called ‘New York Rhapsody’. On his return to New York, he was asked to compose and perform a new concert work. The ‘New York Rhapsody’ became his renowned ‘Second Rhapsody’. A subsequent holiday in Cuba provided the inspiration for his next concert work, ‘Cuban Overture’. We’ll listen to music from each of these featured works.