Description:

George Gershwin "Rhapsody in Blue" Signed & Dedicated Musical Quote

A superb musical quote inscribed and signed by modern American composer George Gershwin (1898-1937), as "For Tessie, / Best Wishes + love. / George," with three musical measures from "Rhapsody in Blue" hand-drawn at lower left. The dedicatory inscription is dated November 22, 1926. Gershwin's inscription is on a heavy stock card with a vintage silver gelatin photograph of Gershwin playing the piano mounted above. Expected wear including slightly chipped edges and gentle toning. The photo shows an isolated area of loss at upper right, a repair at upper left, and isolated surface loss, else very good. The completed piece measures 9.625" x 11.25" and is displayed in a floating mount behind glass within a sleek cream-matted and buff-colored frame. Not examined out of the frame. Framed overall to 17.75" x 19.125" x 1.625."

The musical quote from "Rhapsody in Blue" is identifiable by its key, E Major, and by its three measures of musical notes. The passage here comes from the Andante section, around measure 302; this is a later part of "Rhapsody of Blue" played by horns.

George Gershwin composed "Rhapsody in Blue" for solo piano and jazz band in early 1924, telling a biographer in 1931 that he first conceived of the musical idea behind "Rhapsody in Blue" while traveling by train to Boston. Gershwin recalled: "It was on the train, with its steely rhythms, its rattle-ty bang, that is so often so stimulating to a composer... I frequently hear music in the very heart of the noise. And there I suddenly heard—and even saw on paper—the complete construction of the rhapsody, from beginning to end…I heard it as a sort of musical kaleidoscope of America, of our vast melting pot, of our unduplicated national pep, of our metropolitan madness…"

"Rhapsody and Blue" premiered in New York City on February 12, 1924 as part of a concert entitled "An Experiment in Modern Music." It was originally performed by Gershwin on the piano, and by members of Paul Whiteman's band. The melody proved an instant commercial success. By the end of 1927, Paul Whiteman's band had performed "Rhapsody in Blue" over 80 times on European and British tours, and the recording had sold over a million copies.

Gershwin had dropped out of high school to pursue his musical career, working as a demonstration pianist for a Detroit-based piano roll publishing firm at age 15. He began arranging and composing while still a teenager. Gershwin collaborated with songwriters, lyricists and his older brother Ira to compose popular Broadway musicals such as "Lady, Be Good" (1924), and many others. During the remainder of his short career, Gershwin composed classical, musical, and “folk opera” oeuvres, including "Rhapsody in Blue" (1924), "An American in Paris" (1928), "Porgy and Bess" (1935), and Hollywood music scores.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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