"Rhapsody in Blue" is a single-movement concerto-like work written for piano and orchestra, in which the improvisational expression of the theme is organically combined with the development of symphony.

The modal and harmonic elements of black blues music and the strong syncopated rhythm and slide effects of jazz music all give this uniquely conceived work a distinctive color. In this work, Gershwin was also quite ingenious in his arrangement of passages with completely different emotions, such as the contrast between lyricism and drama, and dance and singing.

The piece begins with a portamento in the bass of the solo clarinet, which is the basis for an ascending scale. When the scale reaches the highest note, one of the work's main themes of uninhibited freedom bursts out (bB major).

The cadenza is a passage stated only by a solo instrument. The piano suddenly slows down the rhythm while climbing up the scale and repeating the same tone, and then states the first theme (G major) alone.

The piano brings the end of the music with a speed change, and once again cooperates with the band very tacitly. After the whole band reproduced the main theme of the music with thunderous momentum, the whole song ended brilliantly with a crescendo chord.

Creative History

In 1924, American composer George Gershwin published the piano concerto "Rhapsody in Blue", which was a huge success and made him a world-class composer. composer.

As early as the early days of Gershwin's creative career, he had the ambition to become a serious musician. Therefore, when Paul Whiteman invited him to write a "Jazz Concerto" for the "Modern Music Experiment" concert organized by Paul Whiteman, Gershwin was very interested. He had always longed to write serious music with jazz elements.

However, the deadline given by Whiteman was too tight, and he had already announced that Gershwin would compose the music for this concert and perform as the piano soloist himself. In this way, Gershwin had no retreat at all.