From "Fascinatin Schism," Ken Emerson's Boston Globe review of George Gershwin: His Life and Works, by Howard Pollack:
Alone among his popular songwriting peers, Gershwin had the ability and ambition to cross the great divide and compose classical music. Yet among classical composers he was equally unique in embracing uncondescendingly what he characterized as the "nervous, hurried, syncopated, ever accelerando, and slightly vulgar" nature of American life. "Rhapsody in Blue," he wrote, was "full of vulgarisms. That's what gives it weight."
"George Gershwin" captures many glints of how Gershwin's chutzpah, the sheer brazenness of his aspirations, produced musical gold. It remains a mystery why so few other composers have even attempted such alchemy.
Yes.
Now I want to read Pollack's book.
Posted by Craig Ceely at December 21, 2006 01:27 PM