Second Rhapsody
Encyclopedia
Second Rhapsody is a concert piece for orchestra
with piano
by American composer George Gershwin
, written in 1931. It is commonly referred to by its original title, Rhapsody in Rivets.
The Second Rhapsody was seldom performed in the twentieth century, and only in recent years has critical and popular attention turned to the work.
, was invited to go to Hollywood to provide the music for the film Delicious
. He spent seven weeks on the score only to find that just four songs (Blah, Blah, Blah; Delishious; Katinkitschka; Somebody from Somewhere), a five-minute "Dream Sequence" and one minute from a six-minute orchestral sequence called New York Rhapsody would be incorporated in the film.
When he went back to New York in February 1931, he had decided to use the material from the six-minute sequence to work into a concert piece and had sketched some of it. Some of the material was jettisoned: the Manhattan Rhapsody opens (in the film) with lush strings playing unusual chords, followed by the main romantic theme in 6/8 time arranged for piano and solo cello and violin. The actual opening of the Second Rhapsody as it is heard today does not occur until two minutes into the Manhattan Rhapsody.
The rest of the film sequence was radically rearranged and rescored by Gershwin. He completed the fourteen-minute piece by May 1931. The new work was titled Rhapsody in Rivets during his sketching, but later he could not decide between Rhapsody in Rivets, New York Rhapsody, or Manhattan Rhapsody as a title, so eventually with a premiere coming due he settled on the understated title: Second Rhapsody.
The piece received its premiere in Boston Symphony Hall
by Boston Symphony Orchestra
under the baton of Serge Koussevitzky
on January 29, 1932, with the composer himself playing the piano part. The New York premiere was given a few days later.
Most of Gershwin's orchestrations have been vastly simplified. For example, the string quartet portion of the adagio was inexplicably rescored for violin, clarinet, oboe, and cello. Many string passages were reassigned to other instruments, or instruments that formerly had solos now have other instruments doubling their passages. Also, eight measures excised by the composer were re-added to the recapitulation by the editor.
Michael Tilson Thomas
has been a promulgator of Gershwin's original version, as he sought out the original manuscript in the library as the basis of his 1985 recording and for his later performances.
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
with piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
by American composer George Gershwin
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
, written in 1931. It is commonly referred to by its original title, Rhapsody in Rivets.
The Second Rhapsody was seldom performed in the twentieth century, and only in recent years has critical and popular attention turned to the work.
Composition
In 1930, George Gershwin, together with his brother Ira GershwinIra Gershwin
Ira Gershwin was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century....
, was invited to go to Hollywood to provide the music for the film Delicious
Delicious (1931 film)
Delicious is a Gershwin musical romantic comedy film starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, directed by David Butler, with color sequences in Multicolor . The film featured music by George and Ira Gershwin, including the introduction of "New York Rhapsody" ; an imaginative and elaborate set...
. He spent seven weeks on the score only to find that just four songs (Blah, Blah, Blah; Delishious; Katinkitschka; Somebody from Somewhere), a five-minute "Dream Sequence" and one minute from a six-minute orchestral sequence called New York Rhapsody would be incorporated in the film.
When he went back to New York in February 1931, he had decided to use the material from the six-minute sequence to work into a concert piece and had sketched some of it. Some of the material was jettisoned: the Manhattan Rhapsody opens (in the film) with lush strings playing unusual chords, followed by the main romantic theme in 6/8 time arranged for piano and solo cello and violin. The actual opening of the Second Rhapsody as it is heard today does not occur until two minutes into the Manhattan Rhapsody.
The rest of the film sequence was radically rearranged and rescored by Gershwin. He completed the fourteen-minute piece by May 1931. The new work was titled Rhapsody in Rivets during his sketching, but later he could not decide between Rhapsody in Rivets, New York Rhapsody, or Manhattan Rhapsody as a title, so eventually with a premiere coming due he settled on the understated title: Second Rhapsody.
Premiere
On June 26, 1931, Gershwin conducted New York musicians and played the piano solo in a run-through of the Rhapsody. He had the rehearsal professionally recorded, but it was never commercially issued. Years later, Ira Gershwin provided the recording so that it could be issued on LP. In 1991, the historic performance was issued on CD by Musicmasters. Orchestrations differ greatly in several areas from Gershwin's final version (and McBride's later reorchestration). Several piano solos and other parts of the Rhapsody that were later deleted by Gershwin can be heard on this recording.The piece received its premiere in Boston Symphony Hall
Symphony Hall, Boston
Symphony Hall is a concert hall located at 301 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. Designed by McKim, Mead and White, it was built in 1900 for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which continues to make the hall its home. The hall was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1999...
by Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1881, the BSO plays most of its concerts at Boston's Symphony Hall and in the summer performs at the Tanglewood Music Center...
under the baton of Serge Koussevitzky
Serge Koussevitzky
Serge Koussevitzky , was a Russian-born Jewish conductor, composer and double-bassist, known for his long tenure as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1924 to 1949.-Early career:...
on January 29, 1932, with the composer himself playing the piano part. The New York premiere was given a few days later.
Rescoring by Publisher
The form most commonly heard today is a re-orchestrated version by Robert McBride created fourteen years after Gershwin's death. McBride was assigned by Frank Campbell-Watson (the music editor for Gershwin's publisher New World Music) to completely rescore the piece. Since this version is the only one offered by the publisher, it has been almost impossible for orchestras to perform the piece as Gershwin envisioned it.Most of Gershwin's orchestrations have been vastly simplified. For example, the string quartet portion of the adagio was inexplicably rescored for violin, clarinet, oboe, and cello. Many string passages were reassigned to other instruments, or instruments that formerly had solos now have other instruments doubling their passages. Also, eight measures excised by the composer were re-added to the recapitulation by the editor.
Michael Tilson Thomas
Michael Tilson Thomas
Michael Tilson Thomas is an American conductor, pianist and composer. He is currently music director of the San Francisco Symphony, and artistic director of the New World Symphony Orchestra.-Early years:...
has been a promulgator of Gershwin's original version, as he sought out the original manuscript in the library as the basis of his 1985 recording and for his later performances.