The Music of George Gershwin

Paper Summary:

This paper begins with a brief biographical sketch of Gershwin's life and discussion of the music that influenced him as he was growing up. The paper then analyzes some of his compositions and looks at how his works challenged many of the conventional definitions in the musical community.

From the Paper:

"Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects about Gershwin's talent is that it was natural to him. He never attended a school of music and the extent of his musical heritage consisted of his father sometime playing records on the Victrola. Despite this scant musical influence, Gershwin is credited for being the "link between the jazz camp and the intellectuals" (Hyland 67). Edward Oxford claims, "the sophisticated personification of America's Jazz Age was born on Sept. 26, 1898" (Oxford). Indeed, from humble beginnings, Gershwin was able to discover not only a love for music but also a talent that would bring him fame."

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