FOL Friends & Family Days with Orin Grossman. George Gershwin (1898-1937) was a true rarity in American music, someone at home both in popular and classical, or concert, music. A high school drop-out, he wrote his first major hit song, “Swanee,” at age 19, and was a successful songwriter from then on, writing mostly for Broadway musicals and, in the 1930s, for Hollywood movies. His first concert piece, “Rhapsody in Blue,” was written at 25. He continued to write popular songs and concert pieces until his untimely death from a brain tumor at 38. By understanding Gershwin’s musical sources, we gain insight into the multicultural nature of American musical traditions, and into the genius of one of our greatest composers. The lecture will conclude with a performance of Gershwin’s masterpiece, “Rhapsody in Blue.” Dr. Grossman came to Fairfield University in 1975 as an Assistant Professor of Fine Arts. In 1991 he was named Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. After 10 years as Academic Vice President, he returned to the music faculty within the department of Visual and Performing Arts. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
