Description

The music of George Gershwin (1898-1937) is widely recognized, encompassing works from his musicals, such as 'Porgy and Bess', as well as orchestral compositions like 'Rhapsody in Blue' and 'An American in Paris'. Gershwin's career commenced as a pianist at a music publishing company, where he promoted sheet music by performing it for potential buyers. His talent for composition soon attracted the attention of Broadway, launching his international career. Influenced by Frédéric Chopin's 24 Préludes, Gershwin began creating his own 'Preludes' for piano in the mid-1920s. Out of the five he composed, two were incorporated into the violin piece 'Short Story', while the remaining three were showcased at a concert on December 4, 1926. These 'Preludes' effectively blend classical and jazz elements, allowing them to be performed individually or as a compact jazz sonata (fast – slow – fast). The current arrangement has made these delightful pieces accessible in a format for solo instrument accompanied by piano.