George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" debuts 1924

"Rhapsody in Blue", one of the most iconic and beloved pieces ever composed, made its debut February 12, 1924.  Composer George Gershwin wrote the piece in just 5 weeks before performing it for the first time at the concert, An Experiment in Modern Music, at the Aeolian Hall in New York City. 

Reviews were not all favorable at the time.  One critic said "...Weep over the lifelessness of the melody and harmony, so derivative, so stale, so inexpressive!"

Perhaps "Rhapsody in Blue" was too far over their heads for them to understand.  Paul Whiteman and his band Palais Royal Orchestra recorded the song and by the end of 1927, it had sold a million copies. 

Here's the entire 17 1/2 minute piece. 




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