Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > February 2000 > 2000.02.16 > 09Prev  Next


"Rhapsody in Blue" Story
By George Bogatko

> The electrifying opening glissando was specially composed
> by Gershwin for Whiteman's agile clarinetist.

The way I heard that part was that the opening run was originally
written as individual notes.  Ross Gorman (I believe he was the
clarinetist) was joking around with it, thus producing the gliss
effect, and Gershwin told him to keep it in.

He may have been mocking Ted Lewis or the klezmer style at the time.
If you listen to the laughing sound in the measures following,
that's what it really sounds like.

George Bogatko
http://www.inluxeditions.com/

 [ My view is that Gershwin knew the sound he wanted from Gorman's
 [ clarinet ("the klezmer sound"), but he didn't know how to notate the
 [ jazz glissando except as a scale of notes (and classically-trained
 [ Ferde Grofe didn't recognize the jazz sound when he copied the
 [ parts).  Witness the difference between recorded jazz solos tran-
 [ scribed in the 1920s, and the same solos written down in contemporary
 [ jazz notation.  Whiteman's core players were indeed fine jazz
 [ musicians, and they produced sounds and effects 'way beyond those
 [ of the typical orchestra.  -- Robbie


(Message sent Wed 16 Feb 2000, 11:40:00 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Blue, Rhapsody, Story

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page