Rhapsody in Blue: Jazzical Music

Gershwin's one movement concerto for piano and orchestra is perhaps one of the most well-known pieces of music to come out of the early 20th Century (don't quote me on that). From its (in)famous opening glissando to its memorable themes and dramatic moments, this music is often (in fact, pretty much always, seemingly) used to represent New York City or even America in general in film and television. Originally composed for solo just piano, the orchestration adds a new level of depth and drama to the work, making it even more exciting and broadening its soundscape hugely.

What's interesting about Gershwin, and what is shown very clearly in this piece, is that his work is actually rather unique. His music is some of the only music that brings together jazz and classical ideas so effectively (also see the second movement of Ravel's violin sonata), so much so that is has now widely been accepted into the canon of orchestral repertoire (another argument can be made about Jazz, depending on how you wish to define it) and shows the exciting nature that classical music when it takes on elements of other musics.

However, the actual musical language, such as the harmonies used by Gershwin, while they may sound especially jazzy, aren't actually necessarily that dissimilar to those used by a lot of, say, French composers such as Satie, Debussy, Poulemc, and Ravel (all to varying degrees), but the way in which this music 'shows those elements off' is very different. The piece is also rhythmically very interesting, creating further interest. And, I think, there's always something epic about the piano accompanied by a full orchestra...