Rhapsody in Blue (13:38)

Rhapsody in Blue is a musical composition by George Gershwin for solo piano and jazz band written in 1924, which combines elements of classical music with jazz-influenced effects. The composition was orchestrated by Ferde Grofé three times, in 1924, in 1926, and finally in 1946. The piece received its premiere in a concert entitled An Experiment in Modern Music, which was held on 12 February 1924, in Aeolian Hall, New York, by Paul Whiteman and his band with Gershwin playing the piano. The version for piano and symphonic orchestra, orchestrated by Ferde Grofé in 1942, has become one of the most popular American concert works. It was played on February 10, 2008 at the 50th Grammy Awards.

As the most famous classical composition by Gershwin, it established his reputation as a “serious composer.”