Beautiful essay Joe. I first heard the haunting opening notes of “Rhapsody in Blue” while watching the fabulous fireworks over New York scene in Woody Allen’s “Manhattan,” and I have been hooked on Gershwin and his (and Ira’s) contributions to the great American songbook ever since. You are so right to point out that his genius was in melding the many strains of organic American song into the music that still speaks to us a century later.
A lovely column well worth a second visit for its own sake. Also it serves nicely as a palate cleanser of the unpleasant taste left by Ethan Iverson's condescending and wronghead piece in the Times on this same subject. I don't know who is editing their culture coverage these days -- well, actually, I do, in a general sense -- but they just keep finding new and annoying ways to crap on things that don't conform to their agenda of demoralization. If it is American, mainstream, liked by all sorts of people, there must be something wrong with it. Sigh.
Lovely essay, Joe, but here’s my underlying concern. Without a robust commitment to musical education, the kids of the future who are not blessed with a great musical family (like you) or great music teachers (like me) are never going to hear Rhapsody or Porgy ‘n Bess or Candide or Slaughter on 10th Avenue or even the early Rock ‘n Roll. As an old Pelhamite, you may remember Cam Whitford, the legendary band teacher who introduced many years of high school kids to the glories of these worlds. I well remember the day my daughter mentioned that “some friend of Mr. Whitford’s came in (Felix Cavalieri) and played this song for us” (Good Lovin’) - I nearly fell out of my chair. I worry that teachers who are capable of that sort of inspiration are fast disappearing. As great as the musical heritage of this country is, it’s incredibly diverse and increasingly siloed - so musical history is incredibly important. And an appreciation of what these Black, Jewish, Celtic, Latin, Calypso, Cajun and God knows what influences have wrought is essential, will even have play a role in the eventual healing of our nation I believe. But it all begins with making music as important as English and Geometry and not letting us hide in our individual closets. It’s a tough ask, but it’s essential.
Joe, what a gorgeous essay! Love your family story, your music roots and your call for amalgamation, not appropriation… bravo!
Beautiful essay Joe. I first heard the haunting opening notes of “Rhapsody in Blue” while watching the fabulous fireworks over New York scene in Woody Allen’s “Manhattan,” and I have been hooked on Gershwin and his (and Ira’s) contributions to the great American songbook ever since. You are so right to point out that his genius was in melding the many strains of organic American song into the music that still speaks to us a century later.
A lovely column well worth a second visit for its own sake. Also it serves nicely as a palate cleanser of the unpleasant taste left by Ethan Iverson's condescending and wronghead piece in the Times on this same subject. I don't know who is editing their culture coverage these days -- well, actually, I do, in a general sense -- but they just keep finding new and annoying ways to crap on things that don't conform to their agenda of demoralization. If it is American, mainstream, liked by all sorts of people, there must be something wrong with it. Sigh.
A great essay. You brought tears to my eyes. You caught the essence of America.
Lovely essay, Joe, but here’s my underlying concern. Without a robust commitment to musical education, the kids of the future who are not blessed with a great musical family (like you) or great music teachers (like me) are never going to hear Rhapsody or Porgy ‘n Bess or Candide or Slaughter on 10th Avenue or even the early Rock ‘n Roll. As an old Pelhamite, you may remember Cam Whitford, the legendary band teacher who introduced many years of high school kids to the glories of these worlds. I well remember the day my daughter mentioned that “some friend of Mr. Whitford’s came in (Felix Cavalieri) and played this song for us” (Good Lovin’) - I nearly fell out of my chair. I worry that teachers who are capable of that sort of inspiration are fast disappearing. As great as the musical heritage of this country is, it’s incredibly diverse and increasingly siloed - so musical history is incredibly important. And an appreciation of what these Black, Jewish, Celtic, Latin, Calypso, Cajun and God knows what influences have wrought is essential, will even have play a role in the eventual healing of our nation I believe. But it all begins with making music as important as English and Geometry and not letting us hide in our individual closets. It’s a tough ask, but it’s essential.
Joe---- what a beautiful homage to GG and American music! Your love for it oozes from this essay.
Lovely. Great column today!