American Masters

-At one time American music was considered inferior to European traditions. -WWII brought American popular music to Europe and the Europeans were intrigued by the sounds of jazz (distinct American style). -This gave the United States a new heightened status and international respect on the music scene.

In the United States new musical styles were emerging: -Broadway -Jazz -American Opera -American Classical Music

George Gershwin -prolific American composer of popular songs, Broadway musicals, and concert music. -child of Russian-Jewish immigrants -taught himself to play popular tunes of the day on his neighbor’s piano. -Later he began studying formally and studied the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Liszt -wrote his first musical at age 19 – La, La, Lucille. -Composed over 39 musicals

-Gershwin’s most popular musical was Crazy Girl (1930). Gershwin’s Musicals -Gershwin’s most popular musical was Crazy Girl (1930). -story takes place on a dude ranch in Arizona. -the ranch has its own entertainers. -One of them is the character Kate Forthergill -at the beginning of the musical, Kate entertains the audience with “I Got Rhythm” Ethel Merman singing “I Got Rhythm” – this song made her famous https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4hI-xhGZug Played by the Marcus Roberts Trio in Berlin, Germany https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpy0YjjriZg

An American Opera Gershwin’s most ambitious work was Porgy and Bess (1935) based on the novel Porgy, by DuBose Heyward. -book portrays the struggles of two African Americans living in the racially segregated South in the early 1900’s. -For authenticity, Gershwin wanted his characters to speak in Gullah. -Gullah – a regional dialect of English spoken by enslaved Africans living in the South. -Gershwin had to spend a lot of time learning speech patterns of the area and absorbing the culture of locals. -Porgy and Bess opened in New York on October 10, 1935 -people who financed the production didn’t want the word opera to be used -the were fearful that this “high-brow” term would frighten off the musical theater going public. -the show did not do as well as expected at the time – became very popular after Gershwin’s death.

“Bess, You Is My Woman Now” -Even though the Porgy and Bess didn’t do very well when Gershwin was alive, some songs from it became popular. -”Bess, You Is My Woman Now” is a love duet that features a modulation. -Modulation – a change in key. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apiq3VN2Ra8

Jazz Influences -Gershwin’s music possesses an infectious rhythm derived largely from the popular jazz songs of the day. -Some examples of this are his works Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris. Rhapsody in Blue (Fantasia 2000): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWJ-kGuOA_Q An American in Paris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGt000iascg

Aaron Copland -In his mid 30’s, Aaron Copland developed a bold, almost brash, compositional style that borrowed heavily from American folk traditions and themes. -Arrived at this point of his career after years of musical experimentation and searching. -Studied in France as a young man. -his earliest works are influenced by French composer Debussy -Went through a phase where he studied/explored jazz rhythms. -After that, he went through a period where all of his music was very harsh and dissonant. -His “American” music combined all of these aspects. -Later in his career he started to compose dissonant music again.

Appalachian Spring: Copland’s “Gift for Simplicity” -One of things Copland is known for in his musical style is the simplicity of his harmonies. -His ballet Appalachian Spring was one of the pieces that had this approach. -Inspired by the book The Gift to Be Simple, by Edward D. Andrews, Copland found the words and melody to the hymn “Tis a Gift to be Simple”. -Used the hymn’s theme for the closing section of the ballet. -Copland wrote Appalachian Spring for Martha Graham, a great modern dancer and choreographer. -the ballet celebrates a newly married pioneer couple’s moving into a home built for them in their community. Simple Gifts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6VmDSZ29fo A scene from the original Appalachian Spring choreographed by Martha Graham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1o65tCZTWA

Fanfare for the Common Man -fanfare – a short, showy tune, usually written for brass, played to honor important people or announce an important event. -During WWII, Eugene Goossens, then-conductor of the Cinncinati Symphony Orchestra, commissioned many American Composers to write fanfares for the orchestra’s concerts. -Copland wrote Fanfare for the Common Man in the fall of 1942, and it was very successful. Copland also incorporated it into the finale of his Symphony No. 3. Fanfare for the Common Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLMVB0B1_Ts