Posts Tagged ‘George Gershwin’
Our Love Is Here to Stay
The last song George Gershwin wrote before his untimely death was “Our Love is Here to Stay.” The title was later shortened to “Love is Here to Stay.”
His brother Ira added the fitting lyric after George died. The song first appeared in the “Goldwyn Follies,” but didn’t really gain fame until Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron sang it in “An American in Paris” in 1951.
This is my all-time favorite song by my all-time favorite composer and lyricist. It’s worth savoring the song performed by world-famous artists who each lend it their own unique interpretation.
Let’s begin with the great American cabaret singer…
Read More“If we’re gonna heal, let it be glorious.”
I spent some time on the piano tonight playing Gershwin.
I’m a sucker for George’s irresistible melodies and Ira’s urbane lyrics. By contrast, I am less than enthralled with Beyonce’s lyrics and melodies.
Beyonce Knowles had a highly praised performance at the Grammies last night. Critics drooled over the way she showcased her bare baby bump. I am conflicted…
Read More“The Man I Love”
By Tom Quiner The song failed not once, not twice, but thrice. I’m talking about the classic song from the Great American Songbook, “The Man I love.” Written by the legendary songwriting team of George and Ira Gershwin, they attempted to place it in three of their musicals but had it bounced by the director…
Read MoreKrall + Gershwin = ‘S Wonderful music
“Blah, blah, blah” vs. “yada, yada, yada”
Quiner’s Diner is officially taking a stand for the culture to once again embrace “blah, blah, blah” and jettison “yada, yada, yada” from our cultural lexicon.
Will you join me?
Read MoreRhapsody in Blue
To me, the three most important American musical figures of the 20th century were Gershwin, Bernstein, and Aaron Copland, since they created timeless music of substance that helped to define an entire century.
Read MoreRhapsody in Blue
Rhapsody in Blue was raw, American music. American music came of age in an instant with that composition that premiered in 1924. Here is how George Gershwin, who was only 25 when he composed the piece, described its creation:
Read More“Politics and taxes and people grinding axes …”
By Tom Quiner [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L107m8Q1CA] Zoom zoom zoom zoom The world is in a mess With politics and taxes And people grinding axes There’s no happiness *** Let us pause during this presidential campaign for the break that refreshes: a jewel of a song by the Gershwin brothers, George and Ira. I’m talking about their 1937…
Read MoreWho is the greatest American composer?
By Tom Quiner [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft1qAOW4znM] Three of my favorite American composers are George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, and Duke Ellington. Today on the classical radio, I listened to Aaron Copland’s great Rodeo Ballet. The Hoe Down movement is so utterly American, so exquisitely compelling, so deliciously seductive that I felt compelled to share it with Quiner’s Diners…
Read MoreHow Iowa celebrates Independence Day
By Tom Quiner What better way to celebrate this great nation’s independence than with American song and fireworks! I attended the Yankee Doodle Pops concert at the footsteps of the Iowa Capital on July 1. The weather was perfect. Our Capitol’s gold dome glistened with pride in the early evening sunlight. Thousands streamed in with…
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