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George Gershwin

George GershwinPopular legend has it that when Rhapsody in Blue premiered on February 12, 1924, George Gershwin pounded the piano keys so hard that his fingers bled. He called this, his most popular work, "a musical kaleidoscope of America--of our vast melting pot."

Sample the following internet sites and complete the activities for each one to learn more about George Gershwin who claimed that "music drips from my fingers."

GershwinFan.Com
http://www.gershwinfan.com/home.html

From the menu on the left, click on "Biography".

  1. What was George Gershwin's real name?
  2. When was he born?
  3. Where was he born?
  4. At what age did George begin studying piano?
  5. What was the name of the area n New York City where aspiring composers and song writers would bring their scores to a publisher in hopes of selling the tunes?
  6. Go to World Book Encyclopedia Online and find 5 facts about Tin Pan Alley.
  7. What was the first song that George had published?
  8. What was his first "hit"? Who sang this song? What Broadway play was it from?
  9. What were the circumstances under which George Gershwin composed Rhapsody in Blue?
  10. Who wrote many of the lyrics for George Gershwin's Broadway melodies?
  11. List 4 Hollywood movies where George was involved with the music.
  12. His American Opera, as he called it, had another name. What was it?
  13. What did George Gershwin die from? How old was he when he died?

FindAGrave
http://www.findagrave.com/pictures/389.html

  1. Where is George Gershwin buried?

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Author: LINDA MOSBACKER - Email linda.mosbacker@slc.k12.ut.us