Rhapsody in Blue

Posted on by Live & Learn

“All this sniping and yapping at music! ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ could be the soundtrack to one of the most romantic moments in your life, too, if you let it sweep you away.

It was a freezing cold night in January. Big fat snowflakes whipped through the air while the skyline surrounding Central Park stood in silent vigil as Gershwin’s music pierced that inky darkness, emanating from the speakers that ringed Wollman Rink.

My new boyfriend and I rented skates and joined the throng, at first tentatively circling, then with more vigor as the music propelled us. It felt as if we were flying — beneath the snowflakes and the stars — and look!

Over there’s Venus.

And over there, Mars.

Whenever I hear that glorious music, I’m instantly transported to that moment in time when his gloved hand held my gloved hand and the world was full of possibilities.

What I wouldn’t give for the chance to circle just once more, in the cold and the dark … enveloped by ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ …”

— Christine Lavin, in “Letters to the Editor” in response to Ethan Iverson’s “The Worst Masterpiece: ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ at 100“. A jazz musician considers the legacy and unfulfilled promise of George Gershwin’s catchy — or you could say corny — repertory staple.

18 thoughts on “Rhapsody in Blue”

  1. That was 20m of my life well spent! Even if you shouldn‘t like Gershwin‘s music, watch it anyway, just for the exceptional filming of this oeuvre. The funny thing was that I just returned from a 3/4h ‚concert at the fireplace‘ and the musicians we listened to sang American, French and Swiss songs. Good timing Mr Dave 🙂

  2. I sure wd like to read the reasons why this should be the Worst Masterpiece…. Sadly, I can‘t. But I fully understand the feeling of gloved hands in gloved hands, sliding in cutting cold weather over the ice rink with the beloved one – bathing in that glorious music.

      1. Yes, thanks – that worked. I even sort of can understand that opinion. We made similar (in understanding) experiences with contemporary English composers or even ‚getting‘ French composers…. Our genes and naturally ‚in-bred‘ feelings and understandings sometimes create barriers difficult to overcome or to climb over. Same goes for singing music outside our own cultural heritage. But it‘s SO rewarding and we can truly widen our horizons.

  4. Okay, Mr. Kanigan….. ‘splain me this. You read the article; we don’t know if you agree or disagree with the writer, but you find, amongst the SIX HUNDRED AND FORTY SIX comments, this wonderful one…
    I’m with her, by the way. People feel the need to analyse the shit out of everything.

      1. Hey there, David.
        1) As do I (and obviously you do, too, or you would not have shared it. 2) Ah hah! I was thinking, holy shit! I know he reads a LOT and he skims a LOT but how? All is now crystal clear 🙂
        And thank you. I personally love this piece.

  5. I love the music, the insistence of the piano, that is graceful simultaneously; the horns playing with longing..I feel for anyone who has never had a moment that informed by Rhapsody In Blue

  6. so funny, when I first glanced at the picture, I thought it was an outdoor hockey game, which I love. when my eyes calmed down and I saw what the picture actually was, and read the memory of the music with the experience, I said – ahhhhh. lovely memory, all senses engaged.

  7. Take a bow. Take a bow. Brought back so many memories listening to this music in my tender years. Instead of an ice-cold arena gliding, I was waxing our floor with melted candles. Then using my foot and legs on top of a coconut hush polishing the floor, I danced to the rhythm of this Rhapsody. Presto, I can see my reflection by the end of the okay.

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