CHAPTER 13 | GEORGE GERSHWIN 319
CD 2.15 Listening Guide 13.2 Rhapsody in Blue GEORGE GERSHWINdate: composed and recorded in 1924
performers: George Gershwin, piano;
Paul Whiteman Orchestra; Paul Whiteman,
conductor. Instrumentation: solo piano;
three reeds (doubling saxophones and
clarinets of all sizes, oboe, and heckelphone);
two trumpets (doubling fl ugelhorn); two
French horns; two trombones (one doubling
euphonium); tuba; string bass; two pianos
(one doubling celesta); banjo; drums
(doubling timpani); eight violins (one
doubling accordion)
genre: concert music
meter: changing
form: through-composed in four large,
continuous sectionsWHAT TO LISTEN FOR- mixture of jazz, blues, popular song, and
classical elements - brilliant solo writing for piano
- colorful orchestration by Ferde Grofé
- use of short motives to unify the various
themes
timing section theme comments
0:00 introduction Ritornello Clarinet low trill, rising with a smear to the high note
that begins an incomplete statement of Ritornello
theme. (A ritornello is a recurring section in a
classical composition.) The second bar of the theme
(0:10) uses the ragtime-derived rhythmic motive.
0:31 Stride French horns introduce Stride theme, whose
repeated notes emphasize blue notes (lowered third
and seventh scale degrees).
0:41 Ritornello Fragment of Ritornello theme in muted trumpet,
interrupted by solo piano.
0:48 Tag Solo piano enters in a dreamy mood with the Tag
motive, quickly interrupted by full band’s loud
statement of the Ritornello theme. Piano resumes, in
a more playful mood, and is joined by solo violin and
a few other instruments.
1:18 A cadenza builds anticipation for the fi rst complete
statement of the Ritornello theme.
1:40 Ritornello Ritornello theme appears in complete aaba song
form: two statements of the a theme by the solo
piano (answered by bass clarinet playing the Tag),
a bridge (2:01), and a return of the a theme that
stops one chord short of complete closure.(continued)172028_13_305-331_r3_ko.indd 319 23/01/13 8:39 PM