George Gershwin Rhapsody In Blue 2
It s 1924, and with just a few weeks notice, George Gershwin has been asked to compose a new concerto that exemplifies American music. In his search for a new melody, Gershwin realizes that American music is much like it is people: a great melting pot of sounds, rhythms, and harmonies. JoAnn Kitchel s illustrations capture the 1920 s in all their art-deco majesty. Includes a CD of Rhapsody in Blue performed by George Gershwin (1925 piano roll) and the Columbia Jazz Band, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. Recommended in Laura Berquist First Grade SyllabusAuthor: Anna Harwell CelenzaIllustrated by: JoAnn E. KitchelFormat: CD and 32-pages hardcover bookPublisher: CharlesbridgeISBN: 1570915563
- Amazon Sales Rank: #67536 in Books
- Brand: CharlesBridge Publishing
- Published on: 2006-06-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: .39″ h x 10.40″ w x 10.08″ l, 1.08 pounds
- Binding: Hardcover
- 32 pages
From School Library JournalGrade 1-5–The creation of Gershwin’s 1924 masterwork is the subject of this picture book. The story, rendered in watercolor-and-ink caricatures, opens in the legendary pool hall where George’s brother Ira discovers a newspaper formal publi statement for a concert at which his sibling’s new jazz concerto is to be featured–only it hasn’t been written yet. After the disbelief subsides and the conductor who placed the ad is confronted, the musical talent embarks on a journeying in which doubt, inspiration, and feeling of annoyance at being hindered or criticized overlay frenzied periods of intense work. Celenza’s tale, finish with formulated dialogue, brings the composer to life. The text incorporates musical ideas to discover the klezmer howl of the opening clarinet, the blues, and the love song for New York in the main theme. An author’s note holds Gershwin’s words describing the rhythm of the train ride that freed his mental block, providing ideas for content, style, and direction. Kitchel’s sensitivity to this source material is specially evident in her disseminate of multifaceted patterns and images, staged as cameos versus a black background; they relate to the composer’s conception of a musical kaleidoscope of America. An accompanying CD features Gershwin himself (courtesy of a piano roll). Pair this with Robert Burleigh’s Langston’s Train Ride (Scholastic, 2004) to compare how a trip on an iron horse affected another American artisan from the same period.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From BooklistGershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue is one of the most American of all musical pieces, incorporating rhythms and sounds that mirror New York City in the mid-1920s. In straightforward prose and sturdy art, this book relates it is story. Gershwin didn’t do not forget agreeing to participate in bandleader Paul Whitman’s musical extravaganza “An Experiment in Modern Music,” which was only weeks away. But at Whitman’s urging, he decides to compose a concerto–then repents it when the writing becomes a struggle. While on a train, however, the sounds he hears support him focus his thoughts, and he imagines the rhapsody from beginning to end, later calling it “a musical kaleidoscope of America.” Along with the story, this provides a CD–an addition that enriches the book. On it is own, the story may not interest children, but once they listen the stimulating music, the history of it is origins will take on meaning. A outstanding way to introduce a classic to a new generation. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
About the AuthorAuthor: Anna Harwell Celenza Anna grew up on a farm in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina. She played the cello in the Greensboro Youth Orchestra and the drums in her high school marching band and jazz band. Music and the arts have always been an essential portion of her life. Anna’s skillfulness in art and music history, combined with her passion for music and her love of literature, led her to write The Farewell Symphony, her firstborn children’s book. She realized that there were few books that introduce children to specific works of classical music. Children are exposed to classical music every day in commercials and cartoons and even in pop music, but they are not exposed to the stories and the history behind these compositions. In her workshops and children’s classes, and now in her books, Anna ensures that children come away with an appreciation, even a love, of classical music. Anna lives in Baltimore,Maryland. Illustrator: JoAnn E. Kitchel JoAnn Kitchel is a professional illustrator who received her B.A. in art education from Central Michigan University. Immediately following her graduation, JoAnn moved to the West Indies where she taught art as a Peace Corps volunteer for almost four years. The West Indian culture and landscape played an worthful role in the development of JoAnn’s artistic style. JoAnn’s children’s books include Raven’s Gift (Richard C. Owen Publishers, Inc.), The Heart of a Friendship (Pelican Publishers), Talk! Talk! Talk! (Celebration Press), and the award-winning Tales of the Shimmering Sky (Williamson Publishing Company). JoAnn presently lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Chris, daughter, Lily, and their two cats.
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George Gershwin Rhapsody In Blue 2 Picture
George Gershwin Rhapsody In Blue 2 Pic
George Gershwin Rhapsody In Blue 2 Picture
George Gershwin Rhapsody In Blue 2 Pic
George Gershwin Rhapsody In Blue 2 Pic
George Gershwin Rhapsody In Blue 2 Photo
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful.
 Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
By Jewish Book World Magazine
Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe arrived in the United States as learners of American culture and within a generation became its creators. In print, on stage and screen, on radio and in the world of music, their children created now iconic works which consciously or unconsciously melded their Jewish roots and American experiences. A prime example is George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, a work that contains elements of Jewish, ragtime and blues music. The concerto is a living example of how a “melting pot society” led to the development of a uniquely American art form.
Through invented dialogue, the author reconstructs Gershwin’s thought processes as he begins to envision the music and then creates the work. The only mention of Gershwin’s Jewish heritage are references to klezmer music – e.g. “the klezmer band at Ira’s bar mitzvah” – but the term is not defined. The terms “ragtime” or “blues” are also not explained. In life, Gershwin was very much influenced not only by the Jewish music of his youth but also by his exposure to African American music.
The book offers a very well written and illustrated glimpse into the creative process of a musical genius and could serve to open further discussion with young readers on the contributions of Jews to American music.
A CD of Rhapsody in Blue (from an original piano roll played by Gershwin himself) accompanies the book. For ages 8-10. Reviewed by Norman H. Finkelstein
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
 A 2007 Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book for Younger Readers
By Rachel Kamin
A fictionalized account of the creation of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” details how the composer was pressured to create a new concerto in just a few weeks, how he was inspired by the rhythm of a train ride, the klezmer band at his brother’s Bar Mitzvah, the harmonies of nightclub dance music, ragtime, and the blues, and the enthusiastic reception the piece received at it’s first performance. Kitchel’s illustrations authentically depict the spirit of the roaring twenties, an author’s note gives readers additional information, and the included CD recording provides added value.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
Great Book!
By V. Treadway
This is a great book. It comes with a CD which is wonderful. I am very pleased to have it. I teach elementary music and it is great for my library in my classroom.
See all 9 customer reviews…
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