Rhapsody in Blue

Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra (George Gershwin, piano) · 1924 · acoustic Victor recording of June 10, 1924

Context

Premiered on February 12, 1924 at Aeolian Hall in New York during Paul Whiteman's concert "An Experiment in Modern Music," with Gershwin at the piano, the piece was recorded by the same players on June 10, 1924 for Victor (record 55225). The orchestration is by Ferde Grofé, and the famous opening clarinet glissando, born in rehearsal, is credited to Ross Gorman. Whiteman and Gershwin cut an electrical version in 1927.

In the genealogy of jazz

This track belongs to Symphonic jazz, dance orchestras. Among the origins and influences of Symphonic jazz, dance orchestras: Harlem: Henderson, Redman, Ellington, Dixieland (ODJB, 1917), Third stream.

Cited in 1 radio episode

• Oct 12, 2026: RHAPSODY IN BLUE - KALÉIDOSCOPIQUE (Anatomie d'un titre, TSF Jazz, in French)

By the same artist

• Whispering (1920)
• Willow Weep for Me (Paul Whiteman, 1932) (1932)

Sources

• EN: Rhapsody in Blue
• EN: Paul Whiteman

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