Topmusicanswers
- What was George Gershwin criticized for?
- Was Gershwin a good pianist?
- How did George Gershwin influence music?
- Was Gershwin influenced by Debussy?
What was George Gershwin criticized for?
Gershwin was criticized for "whitewashing" an African American tradition in his "cultivated jazz" compositions. How did George Gershwin break into the music business? George Gershwin's social status allowed him opportunities as a white musician that black musicians could not enjoy in the 1920s.
Was Gershwin a good pianist?
On February 11, 1937, he performed his Piano Concerto in F in a special concert of his music with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra under the direction of French maestro Pierre Monteux. Gershwin, normally a superb pianist in his own compositions, suffered coordination problems and blackouts during the performance.
How did George Gershwin influence music?
George Gershwin is important for his great talent as a melodist in both popular and classical genres and for his chamber and orchestral works that ingeniously blend the forms and techniques of classical music with elements of popular song and jazz.
Was Gershwin influenced by Debussy?
“Debussy was a great influence on Gershwin, a paramount influence,” Pollack said. “Whether Ravel was influential on Gershwin would be hard to say, but Debussy clearly was a great influence. It's there in the music, and it's there in his comments.” Yet Gershwin greatly admired Ravel's technical mastery.
