George Gershwin was a man of many talents. He mixed classical and popular music in a way that made him a trailblazer in the early 20th century.
His creative style changed the music world, and his pieces like Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris are now classics in both jazz and classical music.
But there’s more to this musical genius than just his famous compositions. In this article, we’ll look into his life and work and uncover 15 fascinating facts about George Gershwin. Read on!
1. George Gershwin Was Not His Given Name
The name George Gershwin is famous around the world and is often linked with great American music. But did you know that wasn’t his birth name?
Of Russian descent, Gershwin was actually born Jacob Gershvin in 1898 in New York City. From a young age, he had a strong passion for music.
As he got more serious about his musical career, he decided to change his name. He wanted a name that felt more American and was easier for people to remember and pronounce. So Jacob Gershvin became George Gershwin.
2. He Had Humble Origins
Gershwin was the second of four children in a working-class family of Russian Jewish immigrants. His parents were Morris and Rose, and his siblings were Ira, Arthur, and Frances, the youngest.
His father had various blue-collar jobs, like working as a baker and factory worker, to support the family. Because of this, the family often moved from one place to another.
Because of this, George was exposed to a mix of musical influences. He heard klezmer music from his Jewish background and the jazz and ragtime rhythms popular in New York at the time.
3. He Had No Formal Training
George Gershwin is known as one of America’s greatest composers, but he didn’t have formal training in music theory or composition.
When he was young, his parents bought a piano for his older brother, Ira, but George took to it instead. He started playing by ear and had a natural musical talent.
His music education was mostly self-taught, with a few private lessons. One of his early teachers, Charles Hambitzer, helped him learn classical music. Nevertheless, Gershwin was very talented; he studied classical music scores and used what he learned in his own compositions.
4. Gershwin Was A Piano Prodigy
As mentioned above, when George Gershwin was a child, his parents bought a piano for his brother, but it was George who quickly fell in love with the instrument.
From the start, it was clear that he had an undeniable talent for music. His natural gift, along with his curiosity and passion, made him a piano prodigy.
At just 15, Gershwin left school to play piano in music stores, helping to promote new sheet music. This experience was very valuable, as it exposed him to many different musical styles and helped him improve as a performer and composer.
5. He Worked As A Song Plugger
Before becoming famous for his music, Gershwin worked as a song plugger, a popular job during the late 19th and early 20th centuries that promoted and encouraged people to buy sheet music.
At 15, Gershwin became a song plugger in New York’s Tin Pan Alley. While working there, he started composing his own songs. His first published song, “When You Want ‘Em, You Can’t Get ‘Em,” came out in 1916 when he was just 17. Although it wasn’t a big hit, it was the start of his career as a composer.
6. He Made Piano Rolls
Gershwin made a big impact with piano rolls. An early type of music recording, piano rolls worked by punching holes in paper. When the roll passed through a player piano, the holes made the piano keys play, like a recorded performance.
In the early 20th century, piano rolls were popular for people who wanted to enjoy piano music at home. For composers like Gershwin, making piano rolls helped them reach more listeners.
As a teenager, Gershwin worked for piano roll companies and made over a hundred rolls.
7. He Was A Genre-Blending Genius
Even though George Gershwin didn’t have formal training, he still showed off his incredible talent for composing. He could create catchy Broadway tunes just as easily as he wrote complex orchestral pieces.
One of his most famous works, Rhapsody in Blue, is a great example of his creativity. This piece combined classical music with jazz, creating what’s known as the first concert jazz and starting a new chapter in music. This bold move made Gershwin famous around the world.
8. Gershwin Was Declined Tutorship
In the mid-1920s, Gershwin wanted to study with Nadia Boulanger, a top music teacher in Paris. But, to the surprise of many, she turned him down.
Boulanger felt Gershwin’s style, which mixed jazz and classical music, was already great as it was. She worried that formal training might change his distinctive sound.
In the end, it was probably a good thing Boulanger said no. If Gershwin had received classical training, his impact on American music and jazz might not have been the same.
9. He Had His Own Radio Program
A little-known aspect of Gershwin’s career is his own radio show called Music by Gershwin. It aired in 1934 and was a big deal in American music history.
In this show, not only did he showcase his compositions, but he also performed them himself. This was a rare treat since recording technology was still new, and hearing composers play their own music wasn’t common.
Some recordings from the show are still available today. They include performances of songs like “Of Thee I Sing” and “Mine.”
10. Gershwin’s Brother Was A Lyricist
George Gershwin’s older brother, Ira, played an important role in his musical career. Ira was a talented lyricist, and together they made some of the most memorable songs in American music.
Starting in the early 1920s, Ira wrote the lyrics to go with George’s melodies. Their teamwork produced many popular songs and Broadway hits, including the famous folk opera Porgy and Bess.
11. He Suffered From Gastric Dysfunctions And Nausea
Throughout his life, Gershwin had health problems, including stomach issues and nausea. At first, these symptoms seemed mild, but they got worse over time.
He called his stomach troubles “composer’s stomach.” He used this term to describe his recurring bouts of nausea and gastric dysfunctions.
Despite feeling unwell, Gershwin kept working hard and created some of his most famous music during this time. However, his health issues did affect his overall quality of life.
12. Gershwin’s Death Was A Shock
Gershwin’s health had been getting worse for a while before he died. Along with his “composer’s stomach,” he was also dealing with severe headaches, mood swings, and coordination trouble.
Initially, doctors thought these were emotional or psychological issues. In early July 1937, Gershwin collapsed and went to the hospital. After tests, doctors found a large brain tumor. Despite surgery, he passed away two days later on July 11.
Gershwin was just 38, and his sudden death was a big shock. He was a highly celebrated composer, and his passing left a big gap in the American music world.
13. He Was A Prolific Composer
Despite his short life, Gershwin had a busy career. He composed music in many styles, not just Rhapsody in Blue and Porgy and Bess.
He also wrote popular songs for Broadway and Hollywood, like “Oh Lady, Be Good,” “Somebody Loves Me,” and “The Man I Love.” He worked on musicals such as Girl Crazy, Let ‘Em Eat Cake, and Pardon My English.
His only piano concerto, Piano Concerto in F, was commissioned by conductor Walter Damrosch. It’s over 30 minutes long and combines classical music with jazz energy.
14. He Received A Pulitzer Prize
As you know, Gershwin received many awards. In 1998, George Gershwin posthumously received a special Pulitzer Prize to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.
This award was given to honor his amazing contributions to American music and his lasting impact on other composers and musicians.
That same year, Gershwin and his brother Ira were also given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to recognize their achievements and influence.
15. A Prize Was Named After Him And Ira
In 2007, the Library of Congress created the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song to honor George and Ira Gershwin. This award celebrates artists who show the same level of excellence as the Gershwins in their songwriting.
The Gershwin Prize is the highest national award for achievements in popular music. It can go to musicians from any genre, including rock, jazz, country, and gospel. It’s given to those who have made a big impact on popular music and have used their songs to promote cultural understanding.
Summing Up Our List Of Facts About George Gershwin
As you have read, George Gershwin was quite an influential figure in American music despite his short career. His life story is as compelling as his compositions.
He was an accomplished pianist and a revolutionary in the world of jazz and modern music, even with the struggles he faced with his health.
We hope you enjoyed our facts about Gershwin’s fascinating life and career. Let his legacy inspire you to follow your passions and make the most out of every opportunity that comes your way.
