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Rodney Greenberg
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George Gershwin (20th Century Composers) Paperback – Illustrated, April 23, 2008

by Rodney Greenberg (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
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George Gershwin (1898–1937), during his short but prolific career, produced a varied body of work that combined symphonic composition with the musical styles popular in his era, including jazz and Negro spirituals. Known primarily for his jazz-tinged orchestral work Rhapsody in Blue, his folk opera Porgy and Bess, and his many wonderful songs featured in the films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Gershwin and his lyricist brother Ira were key figures in the songwriting circles of pre-war America. Rodney Greenberg’s lively biography paints a vivid picture of this exciting era in the development of American music, and places Gershwin’s life and career within the social and cultural contexts in which he flourished.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Phaidon Press
  4. Publication date
    April 23, 2008
  5. Grade level
    8 and up
  6. Reading age
    13 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.63 x 8.75 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    0714847720
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0714847726
  10. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent critical account of Gershwin's musical development in the social and musical context of the first three decades of the century."―BBC Music Magazine

"Sharply observed..."―Billboard

"...An insightful, well written book..."―Jewish Chronicle

"A handsome, illustrated Gershwin biography."―Daily Telegraph

"My best tip for Xmas stockings would be Rodney Greenberg’s concise and well organised study of the life and music of everybody’s centennial hero, George Gershwin."―BBC Music Magazine

On the 20th Century Composers Series

"As a series, Phaidon's 20th Century Composers has brought remarkable variety and a welter of information, both necessary and delightfully trivial. Intended both for the general reader and for the more enthusiastically musical."―The Scotsman

About the Author

Rodney Greenberg has produced and directed over 300 television music programmes, including the televised Promenade Concerts and three documentaries on George Gershwin.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Phaidon Press; Revised edition (April 23, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0714847720
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0714847726
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.63 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

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Rodney Greenberg

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
9 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2017
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It was great!
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Martin L. Pinsky
3.0 out of 5 stars A Broad Overview
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2008
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Seemed a little odd reading a book about Gershwin by a Brit named Greenberg. There are many on this side of the ocean that knew Gershwin intimately and it is there rather than in this book that you will find an authentic rather than scholarly approach. Anyone can accumulate information and photographs and if skilled at writing assume a role of arbiter.

Gershwin is the natural Jewish American seed of genius--spontaneous genius without the paste and glue of institutional methods and means. Had he lived beyond 39 years perhaps a true symphony would have emerged.

Then Greenberg cannot resist a simple line touching on the prospect of great Gershwin being a homosexual. What was that for? Where is there any indication of it in his hectic star struck life time. Why was it included?
What point did it serve?

There is little need for psychoanalytical applications heaped upon this creative genius. His music speaks the language of the then American heart and soul. He did not caterwaul like Elliot Carter or blast your ears like Reigger, nor create vast intellectual excusions like Sessions who music is terrible. William Schuman could compose for a thousand years and nver approach his teacher Roy Harris' Third Symphony, let alone Gershwin.

So in fact there is alot of intellectual garbage out there oh so rationalized by Boulez et al--who listens to their music? Who listens to late Stravinsky--or the minimalists or the sonorists or the serialists?

Gershwin knew the difference between preprogrammed raucous noise and music from the heart and soul. Serialists are soulless atomatons and are cumulatively not dust between the toes of gershwin creatively--he had the devine spark and we all know it--THEY did not.

Read Levant for some insight and fun about his relationship with George and Ira. There are two other superior biographies around and alot of smaller works by those close to the Gershwins. Get a broad and rounded understanding of this relatively simple man who blazed like a comet through the music world.

The Phaidon label tends toward the intellectualization of music and puts names like Schnittke next to Gershwin--you ever hear of Schnittke? Who has and who listens to his music but that is Phaidon.

Gershwin was not a homosexual, but too many who write about him are--always looking for recruits.

Don't get too intellectual with Gershwin, he is better than them--he is of the people and for the people and he sings to them as no Minimalist, serilaist or sonorist ever could or can.

Read an American author closer to home in time and space. You'll be better off.
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D. Burnett
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for the Casual Reader and the Scholar!
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2010
Having read every Gershwin book avaliable in a legal deposit library, unfortunately for the American reviewer previously it was one in England, I can honestly say that this is one of the most informative and lively books to cover Gershwin's life and music. There is not as much focus on the music as I would like, but I am amazed at just how much I found out about it, in a book I still view as primarily a biography.

Having met "Gershwin at the keyboard" I started to read about him a few years ago, and this book persuaded me to go on reading and submit an extended essay for my A Level on Gershwin. I am now putting the finishing touch to an undergraduate dissertation on Gershwin and the only book I have felt the need to buy to help me with it is this one.

I recommend it highly for the casual reader and the scholar, and it is to be praised for its objective view, some of the other books can go on quite a boring path of conjecture connected to Gershwin's sexual habits, whilst maintaining an engagement of the reader. For a much more detailed book consider 'Howard Pollack, George Gershwin: His Life and Work, (University of California Press)' and for sources 'Wyatt and Johnson (ed), The George Gershwin Reader, (Oxford University Press, 2004)'
One person found this helpful
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Elizabeth Towey
5.0 out of 5 stars A fair and honest book about a musical genius
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2003
This was a fascinating look into the development of one of the outstanding musical forces of the 20th century. It traces Gershwin's incredible rise from Brooklyn streets, through Tin Pan Alley, to Broadway, concert halls, and Hollywood. It looks into the many influences to his music, and his aspirations for higher forms. Greenberg introduces us to a man with a huge ego, an insatiable love of music, and an extraordinary gift - a lovable character, around whose piano you would love to stand for even just one song.
The author gives us a sense of the tragedy in Gershwin's life that was deeply touching without being melodramatic. After reading this book you'll listen to Gershwin's music with a much enriched appreciation and understanding.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

basil
5.0 out of 5 stars His dedication to music
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
George Gershwin was way ahead of his time in the manner of how he used the piano from his time at trying to sell songs to in later life how was very,even to write opera.
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Roninof
3.0 out of 5 stars my hopes for a good read were some what dashed when it came to ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2015
Verified Purchase
Having read previous reviews and therefor looking forward in receiving the book in question, my hopes for a good read were some what dashed when it came to the print format illustrated, it is small to say the least and difficult to read at some length. The purchase price is exceptional, but does not compensate for the disappointment as for-mentioned ! There could a hardback version available out there ? which possibly might contained a more acceptable (larger) print format ?
One person found this helpful
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