George Gershwin —"Lullaby For Strings"

The Lullaby for Strings was written in 1919 while Gershwin was studying harmony and counterpoint with Edward Kilenyi Sr. However, Gershwin was no mere student at the time; his first musical, "La La Lucille", having been produced on Broadway that same year. You see, contrary to the Hollywood-ized image of him, Gerorge was devoted to studying music throughout his all too short life; constantly seeking to expand his knowledge and refine his technique. He used the opening theme of the Lullaby as part of an aria (Has Anyone Seen My Joe?) in his unsuccessful one-act opera of 1922, "Blue Monday". Though the stage work was a failure, (it was part of "George White's Scandals" and was withdrawn after a single performance), upon hearing the work, Gershwin caused Paul Whiteman to commission a work for his upcoming Aeolean Hall concert. This work turned out to be Rhapsody in Blue.

The manuscript for Lullaby sat on Ira Gershwin's shelf for decades until he showed it to harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler who transcribed it for harmonica and string quartet and presented it at the Edinburgh Festival in 1963. It was then transcribed for harmonica and orchestra. The work was not premiered in its original form until Oct. 28, 1967 —Please enjoy a marvelous live performance of "Lullaby for String Quartet" recorded, August 19, 1986 at "The Large Hall" in Moscow for USSR Radio and Television by the strings of The Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Dimitri Kitayenko...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• George Gershwin
• Lullaby For Strings
• Dimitri Kitayenko
• Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

[MooPotPie]

Originally scored for a quartet,this is a later arrangement for string orchestra. The 20-year old Gershwin invokes a shade nearly Joplinesque in this genteel and wistful adieu to the ragtime era of Gershwin's youth.

[AwaTu]

@MooPotPie Well stated, MooPotPie —Though, I feel I must underscore "nearly", as the operative word in your comment —Joplinesque might be a bit of a stretch...

[StirlingVideoLounge]

This is an absolutely beautiful recording. My favorite! Thank you so much for making it available.

[AwaTu]

@StirlingVideoLounge It is my pleasure —Thanks, so much for your kind words...

[SparkyMK3]

This music would go great played over Bambi!

[18thcJewishMom]

@AwaTu : It sounds much more like a Joplin piece when heard on solo piano.

[lenlaviolette]

This is a gorgeous piece

[sumame47]

Many years ago, I heard this on the classical radio station we have in this area. Very beautiful song. Brought tears to my eyes as it made me think of when my kids were babies. I had heard that he composed this when he was a teenager. Needless to say, Gershwin was and is a genius!! Thanks for sharing this.