Gershwin plays I Got Rhythm (1931, 3 camera views)

George Gershwin plays I Got Rhythm at the opening of New York's Manhattan Theatre on 5 August 1931, his performance filmed from three different camera angles.
For more information visit www.jackgibbons...
You can also follow Jack Gibbons on Facebook at
/ jackgibbonspiano

[@weidmann0501]

When he was young he said, "I have so many tunes in my head it will take a hundred years to write them down." He died at 37 yrs.

[@dropwizerorders501]

Such a loss. I just finished a short book called, "George Gershwin: An intimate portrait", that is fascinating. He was a remarkable talent.

[@classicaldeb]

So sad.

[@Kimllg88]

Sad.

[@lucaberardi4557]

Almost 39 YO, 1898-1937

[@paolo6219]

I thought he died at 39

[@charlesoshea4803]

We can only imagine the marvelous songs we never heard because he passed on too young. RIP.

[@JohnWilson01]

Exactly. I rencently worked up his Prelude 1 for piano and it was definitely one of the hardest pieces Ive ever played.

[@0restes]

We wuz ROBBED! 🎵 😭

[@ianaspinall3234]

And not just songs.Im convinced that had Gershwin lived a long full life he would have been America's leading composer of Songs, Symphonies,Operas, Concertos and Chamber Music.No question about that.

[@maestroclassico5801]

@@ianaspinall3234 Absolutely. There really is NO TELLING how much we could have gotten from GG had he lived....even just 10 more years. Another Opera......more Broadway...or movies....AT some point....a Symphony would have HAD to happen.

[@ianaspinall3234]

@@maestroclassico5801 I'm sure it would have done.I did read in a book that not long before Gershwin became ill in Hollywood he was talking about returning to New York to work on a possible Opera of The Great Gatsby.Now that would have been something had he lived to write it.

[@sabrafrederick]

50 people who disliked this don't have rhythm.

[@cliffhughes6010]

They are the "thumbs down to everything club". Members compete with each other to diss as many videos in 24 hours as possible. They get everywhere - like cockroaches. Of course, this means they never have time to actually listen to anything, but that's not the point. Best to ignore them.

[@thelookingcat]

@@cliffhughes6010 yeah

[@thelookingcat]

@@cliffhughes6010 or maybe they just hate ragtime or the way that he got up in the end? Idk I personally liked it but tryna think about anything ppl might not like

[@erezsolomon3838]

60

[@Magnetron33]

or any understanding of artistry

[@Twentythousandlps]

Note the percussive attack. Classical pianists usually don't have that when they play GG's music - it needs it.

[@quinnlewis2003]

Agreeeeeeddddd

[@interglossa]

In one of Bartok's Mikrokosmos pieces his notes say play one of them "like Gershwin" - so he knew this also.

[@konigstephan]

You are absolutely RIGHT!

[@Bulbophile]

so funny to hear how many pianists play in BLUE note perfect; all they had to do was thump the notes out

[@rafaelcostadesouza5064]

@@interglossa which one?

[@ransomcoates546]

He plays much more percussively and in a ‘honkey-tonk ’ style than we have become used to in his music.

[@Magnetron33]

I think a tin-pan alley sound

[@jongoldman3868]

That's Stride, man!

[@chalkychoochoo2304]

They take the soul out of everything these days.

[@jpaul251]

Yes now only if the piano was just slightly out of tune we would get the real bar room effect.

[@Magnetron33]

@@jpaul251 With technique like that, it would be epic. Gershwin and Roosevelt Sykes

[@j.burgess4459]

A man of rare talent who died tragically young. Through his music he will never be forgotten.

[@heaven7360]

life isn't fair...he died of a malignant brain tumor. So goes to show....even young people die

[@cielobuio]

Yeah, his untimely death was/is so sad

[@leonaltmark2852]

He rocks the piano like no one else in classical or pop music. Genius composer and musician. This has jazz elements from 20’s , which was wild and furious. Amazing.

[@silverstuff182]

Plays everything just a tad faster than anyone else.

[@tvscribe]

You should listen to early Ben Folds! He smashed the piano like he had a vendetta against it.

[@MrAristaeus]

I just love the shot from 01:32. You just KNOW that the awesome hat on the piano was Mr. G’s. Just imagine strolling along 5th avenue on the 5th August 1931 and seeing Gershwin in that suit and hat...

[@dr.corneliusq.cadbury6984]

Lol at the end he just pops up and walks off like a boss

[@sadrevolution]

Gershwin: "Rhythm changes!" Orchestra: "Nope. You're on your own."

[@steveslagle1859]

HA!

[@evatervala4033]

His left hand is fantastiq.

[@emperor1e]

That was an era where if you wanted to be considered a great pianist, you needed a strong left hand for the popular stride style back then.

[@spactick]

Boy I wish they had film back in the day when Bach was performing, or Beethoven but watchin Gershwin ain't bad

[@jonathankleefield5520]

Thank God sound motion picture technology had advanced sufficiently by 1931 to permit a credible record of this amazing musician and composer. His pianistic gifts are staggering, matched only by the richness of harmonic tapestry that he could create in so many songs and, of course, within his opera, Porgy and Bess. As others have commented, the tragedy of his early death denied us of what additional musical marvels may have come from his fertile musical mind. As an amateur musician, I find endless delight in playing his music, as I am sure so many others do, as well.

[@Otokichi786]

It's July 4th, 2018. George Gershwin at the piano, playing "I Got Rhythm." Even the piano was smiling.;)

[@racheln8563]

Phenomenal. The man played as if he had an extra pair of hands.

[@JohnLee-wk1dz]

I have loved Gershwin and his fabulous music my whole life and now I find I was born on the day of this recording August 5th 1931

[@charleneschuster6977]

I loved Gershwin music for my whole life, and my son was born on his birthday!

[@DivineSimply]

His music is magic. I wonder if he'd lived a normal life span how many more beautiful compositions he would have come up with. Our loss.

[@shadowjuan2]

Such strength, such force, such energy unique to a true musician. Love for life.

[@maestroclassico5801]

According to the digitally re-recorded piano rolls, he took Rhspsody in Blue faster than other pianists DARED

[@jonathanm.9801]

I mean it’s his piece haha. He can do whatever he wants with it. Also, piano rolls probably had very limited space, so it might have needed to be recorded quicker just to make sure everything gets on it.

[@maestroclassico5801]

@@jonathanm.9801 Hey...Agreed! He can leave out notes however he wants but yes the digitally remastered piano roll recordings....which can be found here on YT, are quite a listen!

[@KawhackitaRag]

@@jonathanm.9801 You are actually right about at least one of the two Duo-Art rolls (it was in two parts) of the "Rhapsody". There was so much music required to be crammed on that roll, that editor/arranger Frank Milne had quite a task, working from Gershwin's original performance. Several roll collectors / enthusiasts have actually complained that the level of rhythmic detail in one of those two rolls is lacking, due to this kind of "cramming" requiring a slower roll tempo / paper speed. IMO Aeolian should have instead made this a three-roll or four-roll set, instead of two rolls. But the piece was brand-new at the time and no one was yet sure if it would be a success, when the first roll was released. After a few years it was apparent that it was indeed a success, so they brought out the second roll (I think that was the 'crammed' one). If you want to hear Gershwin's real tempo and touch, check out the two recordings of the 'Rhapsody' (the 1924 acoustic recording, and I think the 1927 electric recording) with Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, featuring Gershwin himself at the piano. IMO those are the best document of this piece. The rolls are very nice however.

[@KawhackitaRag]

One good thing about the "Rhapsody" being on the Duo-Art reproducing piano system is that it's more or less a binary-type expression system that works very quickly with (to my knowledge) no "crescendo" effect in the system. So it is fairly faithful with a wider range of chosen tempos for the roll playback. This is to contrast with the Welte system, which is all crescendos and decrescendos, and the Ampico system which has a mix of both elements. In the systems with crescendo functions in the expression, the roll has to be set at JUST the right speed (and the piano in good shape / timing checked by a technician before a serious recording is made), since when the roll tells the piano to get louder or softer (slowly or quickly), it has to do so at a predictable speed. If the tempo of the roll is set too fast or slow for a Welte or Ampico (or certain other systems), the expression (whose timing happens at a couple of fixed speeds), will "land" on the correct dynamic at the WRONG time, so that the WRONG notes will be too loud or too soft due to the roll timing (notes) being off from the expression timing. With Duo-Art, within reason, the roll can be sped up or slowed down and as long as everything is in good working order and working rapidly, the expression can still keep up with the timing of the notes so that the correct notes get the correct dynamics. This is actually why the early Red Welte system has NO tempo lever... all rolls play at a fixed factory-determined paper speed to ensure that the timing of the expression doesn't get away from the timing of the notes. So, different tempos chosen by the artist show up MORE as different note lengths / spacings in the Welte rolls than in many later systems where they will ask the user to set a particular roll tempo (paper speed) and then have the timing of the expression adjusted by the person arranging the expression tracks (on the master roll at the factory), to match that paper speed. By contrast, the Duo-Art system has the most extensive hand-controls for hand expression of any major reproducing system, so you can turn off the Duo-Art expression and also put your own interpretation into the roll, like a regular 88-note piano.

[@iamhorny4542]

the poor clarinetist!

[@georgeorr1042]

Authentic American genius.

[@benjaminperez2326]

My mother was born in 1931. One of my all time favorite songs in Rhapsody in Blue. My two year old grandson knows it now.

[@mlaux72]

I agree but don't call it a "song" please :)

[@mel-dv5jx]

Rhapsody In Blue is not a song.

[@007ndc]

The word Genuis gets thrown around too much but it applies to the immortal George Gershwin

[@sucroseboy4940]

It is amazing to watch him play. His talent was quite unique.

[@chrisandersen5635]

This is so cool!! I have never seen footage of Gershwin performing. I have audio, but this is relevatory since it’s clearly meant to be an encore. He really goes for it! I would love to see footage of Gershwin and Oscar Levant. They worked out hours of music and arrangements together. It would be something to hear and a little of them together.

[@jimcrawford5039]

He appeared in a few movies.

[@russells5923]

O

[@mel-dv5jx]

@@jimcrawford5039 Levant did but Gershwin didn't.

[@osocool1too]

What an amazing musical genius who died way too young at the age of 39 in 1937..😇

[@matthewvwuk]

He was 38 when he died to be correct about it.

[@loisedwi]

He is such a musical genius & his music soothes my mind!

[@martinbryan3716]

Just so amazing to see him perform! Thank you for this little gem.

[@Magnetron33]

I have always heard he had amazing technique. First clip I have ever seen and it's true

[@eddywaring]

Enjoyed but I really wanted to be able to watch his hands while playing Rhapsody in Blue but can only find videos showing a picture or series of pictures.

[@joost505]

Same

[@KawhackitaRag]

I am very doubtful that such a document exists. There are the two (each two-part, I think) recordings with Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, for Victor records, I think, with Gershwin at the piano. The earlier (1924) recording is acoustic; and the later (1927 I think) recording is electric. Although they're audio recordings, so you can't see his hands, it's still great to hear him actually play it.

[@FlipMacz]

I truly wonder how much he improvised...what an angelic soul...

[@windingroad9678]

He pounded those keys

[@alexbdpiano]

Thank you for uploading this!

[@ayokay123]

Only the good die young, and this musical genius certainly proved that.

[@lucaberardi4557]

The most wonderful thing is the musician close to him smiling at Gershwin playing

[@treblecleff8957]

Handsome, talented man. I think I really am in love with him.

[@androidkenobi]

upon the first two notes I thought he was going to play super mario bros.

[@Mehoyminoy97]

omg hahahaha

[@jonathanberroa8506]

Hahaha it does sound like a super Mario bros song

[@cyrilproudbottom]

Lol, there's a quote from George and Ira Saying something like 'We steal, but we steal from the best.' Now we know what they were talking about! 😂 😂 😂

[@rooniedog8781]

Or Thomas The Tank Engine. LOL

[@dearly1961]

Except this was 1931. Have some respect for a true genius of 20th century music.

[@bryce4053]

Tfw a microphone made in the 1930s is better than the microphone in school computers

[@sophiaraniuk2665]

Gershwin is my favorite composer and pianist ......thank you so much for loading this Love it ....what a treasure....

[@ES-zj2tq]

The crazy thing is, this is a jazz classic, but the composer himself (Gershwin) played the most astonishing remix of his own piece that we've seen to date!

[@peterashford7855]

Art Tatum loved his music; often inserting quotes from George G

[@tarheelblue9245]

There are not enough superlatives to describe George Gershwin!

[@NinuRenee]

Oh my god, how many times I've listened to the audio recording of this. And now I get to see the performance in all its glory, superb!

[@steveslagle1859]

Absolutely amazing!! Thanks for posting---i shared on my FB page---astounding film of a true American genius--Gershwin Lives!!!!

[@luvmyrecords]

Beautiful! Sadly, Bix Beiderbecke, another quintessential figure of the 1920's, but whose legacy also is timeless, died the very next day.

[@geewhizzerz]

That fella in the back with the knowing smile is so adorable

[@nataliegold6584]

Brilliant pianist! How wonderful to hear him play (as only he can .....) his thrilling music

[@OLD_SOUL1900]

This is an exemplary view of masterful talent! I am thrilled to have such a privilege to see the Great George Gershwin striking those keys in "fascinating rhythm"! My thanks for posting this treasured piece of music history!😉😁😚

[@hamiltoncarvalho2383]

This rendition is what we could caĺl Gershwin by Gershwin.

[@ES-zj2tq]

I mean... I'm 37. Gershwin DIED at 37... :( This recording in particular is an absolutely astonishing record of how ahead of his time he was. This music is so damn fresh in 2023 as it was in 1931. My grandmother just died and she was born the same year this was recorded!!!

[@matthewvwuk]

Gershwin was 38 when he died to be precise. No I am not splitting hairs on the issue, just a correction to be fair about it.

[@pjabtg]

Just the intro, before he even starts the song... he sets the mood perfectly

[@brooksferguson9190]

That little thing at 0:41 is so sick

[@postatility9703]

I think Gershwin would have enjoyed watching Thelonious Monk playing his "Rhythm A Ning",obviously based on this tune.Monk,like Gershwin,was a very physical player ,and not influenced by the European approach to playing the instrument.

[@josephf151]

I have seen the second one, but never the first one, did you have to clean up the video at all? it looks surprisingly clear. Thank you so much for uploading this, it is a key piece of history. now if we can find a way to get the audio cleaned up... I wonder how well the Steinway Spirio file follows this... if it does so well, it could be easy dubbing

[@dreadnaught3894]

What a privilege to hear and see this. Had the notated sheet music of this for over 50 years and at last know what the maestro intended. Thanks so much! Wish you well.

[@jean-francois.chemila]

Quel félin...Quelle vivacité, quelle souplesse, quel dynamisme...On aurait aimé que ça dure des heures.

[@Dylonely42]

This is unique. We’re lucky enough to have this recording and footage.

[@cindymaceda2999]

Isn’t it wonderful that three camera operators were directed to film a genius performing ‘live’? Just think if there was film available during Mozart or Chopin’s time?

[@ferociousgumby]

The piano can barely keep up with him.

[@wiisalute]

Gershwin, Chopin, Satie and Debussy inspired me to get back into playing piano again. Currently practicing the Gymnopedies

[@CadillacL]

Awesome to see one of the Masters in American music it’s kind of a blind blowing what he could have achieve.

[@MrCinemuso]

Thanks also for the upload! Love watching how the band members are so charmed by that.

[@UTubeAngelique]

0/zero dislikes! Thank Goodness for sensibility! This guy is probably the best composer of all time. Him and his brother were beyond their time. You can just tell by their beautifully written compositions. I listen to Loose Ends, T-Rex, Chicago House and all sorts of music and I know they trace their roots back here...

[@KristianWolfe]

Best composer of all time? I don't mean to get into an argument, but maybe try listening to the works of Mozart, Bach, Chopin, and Ravel...

[@Magnetron33]

@@KristianWolfe or Beethoven?

[@kellycoleman715]

He hammered that keyboard. His rhythm sped up and he missed some notes but he wrote the dang classic. 😄

[@emrot]

Well-said, Kelly! I will bow to NO one in my admiration for the great genius, but he clearly had an off day. Oh my. But Mr Gershwin lived an extraordinarily full life - I imagine he had somewhere to go.

[@richardwhitehouse8762]

Given how rare such footage it, it's always a bit annoying when the artists involved aren't at their absolute best. On the other hand the sheer aliveness of it all is something to treasure.

[@snorefest1621]

bro this MADLAD made 10 GRAND with *ONE MINUTE* of music BACK in the 30S!

[@jimroveto1543]

I never knew one my favorite songs from the Happenings in the 60's was a Gershwin song of the 30's

[@jaymzbeesez]

interesting....his handiwork shows he had some classical training - this music was revolutionary in its day - and still holds up just fine!

[@simba30]

Pure genuis dead at 37 yrs old, what is also tragic is his house on Roxbury drive was torn down it was right next to his brother Ira"s home. Rosemary Clooney lived in it for many many years. It's hard for me to believe that the Beverly Hills historical society didnt save this house. And most likely some low life souless Euro Trash tore it down to build a McMansion. Roxbury drive was where all the great entertainers lived. Jimmy Stewart, Lucille Ball and these beautiful quaint homes were torn down.

[@yangjames4358]

That 1+ dislike. Whoever did that single dislike, I will hunt you down

[@aayla8036]

Theres 13 dislike now

[@samuelsulla4383]

@@aayla8036 Now 16 cuz i disliked

[@MegaFount]

Wow. Breathtaking! What a treat. Thank you for posting this. Such a major talent.

[@jeanettesteed3326]

How can the members of the orchestra sit so still. I’d have to be foot tapping and finding it very hard not to dance!

[@paulazmudzinski9225]

Glad to see that this venue is still in existence as of 1-2022 (Manhattan Theatre Club). -mikenotpaula.

[@michaelsommers5503]

Different venue. The names of various Broadway houses get changed over the years. What was called the Manhattan Theatre back in 1931 is known today as the Ed Sullivan Theatre.

[@tomdegan6924]

That was the day my late mother was born - 8/5/31.

[@LascoDePasco]

A pure genius, no doubt about it. His music will live forever.

[@pedrocastillo1939]

such a beautiful melody!! Thanks for uploading! =D

[@wendywiltshire2102]

I'm so amazed, and sad, because I could never play this in a host of lifetimes. Hats off to this wonderful man.

[@marypalmer00]

I like how he plays. "bangin on the keys" foxtrot-style is kinda my favorite way of playing piano. (maybe because I was partially traumatized by the need to play "gently" in music school with classical education. so much pressure for you to play it just the right way. so tedious in my opinion)

[@turvyjj9232]

This is a cross between Rachmaninov and one of the Marx brothers. Superb.

[@fredericpelloud7536]

Chico Marx, yes, well seen!

[@Firebrand55]

0.21...the music genius plays a wrong chord!.....observe his wry half-smile as he realizes.The repeated phrase is correct from then on. Nice to know that all geniuses are, now and then, human!

[@papagen00]

so? even Horowitz played wrong notes.

[@lookherenow]

....and 0:28 !

[@jerjer1957]

I noticed that too, and if you listen to other recordings there are numerous flubs but SO WHAT? No one can reproduce the energy of his performances no matter how skilled they may be. Also notice, just before he begins to play he plays a single A, probably to see if the piano is in tune or just to center his ear on the right pitch.

[@cameroncordell3493]

The guy in the top right corner at 1:09 is all of us 😅

[@arthurhogan2133]

Interesting, he played two versions, improvised of his I.G.R. this must have been an encore after a performance of either Rhapsody in Blue. Or his concerto in F. Too bad they weren't recorded as well.

[@moo639]

I thought George had found an interesting variation on his own melody, but listening again I see that he just made a mistake the first time through. The melody is Ab-Bb-Db-Eb up and then should be Eb-Db-Bb-Ab down, but he plays Eb-C-Bb-Ab lowering the second note a half step. But only the first time through. He plays it correctly every time after that.

[@p1anosteve]

Yeah, I heard that too. Just goes to show even he played wrong notes occasionally!

[@robynbrouckaert2190]

I also heard it. And at first I thought it was intentional

[@mlaux72]

It was a live concert

[@NINAdAVIGNON]

Incroyable de ouf merci beaucoup pour ces images 🔥

[@elviscedenopimentel5753]

Q genio,..q lástima que su vida fue tan corta

[@MrGer2295]

Wonderful ! Thank you so much :)

[@keithsmith4780]

A long time ago I saw a famous pianist (I don’t remember who) on a talk show. He had known Gershwin, and the host asked him if Gershwin was a good pianist. He answered, “Not for his own music. You couldn’t enjoy it because he played it too fast.” He probably played it the way he heard it in his head. He seems to have been a very high-energy person, and maybe the music just came rushing out of him.

[@marshallartz395]

Interesting comment. I wonder if the pianist you quoted was Oscar Levant? He was a friend of Gershwin’s and a famous interpreter of his music. He was also extremely neurotic and hilariously funny. Watch some of his appearances with Jack Paar on the Tonight Show. 😎🎹

[@nataliegold6584]

I dont care about the famous pianists poor opinion of Gershwins interpretation of his own music...my ears tell me the opposite and I beg to differ.....

[@bibanez135]

He's got huge hands!

[@dlsofsetx]

Are there any recordings of George Gershwin speaking?

[@crazyorganist1609]

dlsofsetx they're incredibly rare

[@dlsofsetx]

I did hear a radio program on KZbin of him later.

[@MichaelJohnson-lh7gs]

There are a few on here. I can send you the links if you'd like.

[@dlsofsetx]

Please do.

[@MichaelJohnson-lh7gs]

dlsofsetx You can hear George speaking at great length in this broadcast: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/foeZY5SXjNpob5I

[@gerolamoalchieri]

ok maybe i got it... in 1934 he wrote the variations for pianoforte and orchestra... here he's just playing by himself

[@Dylonely42]

Gershwin composed the tune in 1928/1930

[@andreiter]

Rare performances like this need to be remastered into 4K :-)

[@annbrown3067]

I love this beautiful man what may have been had he lived a longer life!

[@yanislahocine4729]

Me too, so can I say that he's the man I love ?

[@yanislahocine4729]

Me too, so can I say he's the man I love ?

[@shrekalmighty5932]

Shout out sa Mapeh teacher namin. Di marunong magturo, pero marunong magpatambak ng activity. Kala mo ginagangbang kami ng deadline

[@darksevenmaster5398]

Gershwin one my all time fav American composer and pianist

[@Ukgejap]

Amazing composer and musician!

[@flimp8020]

We watched this in music class last year, it feels so nostalgic revisiting.

[@nancysrios]

His talent was God -given!!!

[@jamesspackman9819]

Talent and skill are different things. Everyone has talent, the skill is to develop it through practice. If you don't practice, then you waste your talent. 'God' is the excuse given by those who're too lazy, dishonest and ill-disciplined to practice.

[@dicty2]

Nope. Genes plus dedication.

[@jamesspackman9819]

@@dicty2 which obviously explains your genius.

[@monkface]

They had a Gershwin display at the library of Congress a few years back and you weren't supposed to and got a pre recorded warning but I leaned over and touched his piano! Ha!

[@harrypearle9781]

This is incredible! You know the brain, itself, responds to the rhythm of nervous pulses. We feel alive, because ot the beat of our nervous system. I am hoping to use this video to motivate learning in schools. www.SavingSchools.org Much thanks! Harry

[@brucekuehn4031]

Support music education at all levels. Push your school board, vote in elections, go to concerts (when we are able).

[@melvinpolanski7249]

man could he play the piano!

[@michaelhoerig5920]

His music must have blown away the people of the time!

[@begs54]

The triumvirate three which shaped 20th century American music: 1. George Gershwin 2. Irving Berlin 3. Jerome Kern

[@erforderlich5274]

what about Cole Porter? what about Hoagy Carmichael? what about Richard Rogers? what about ...

[@fredericpelloud7536]

Frank Zappa? John Cage? Steve Reich? Philip Glass?.....

[@2009framat]

@@fredericpelloud7536 Some of them were not even born when this was recorded.

[@fredericpelloud7536]

@@2009framat So what? We talk about 20th century

[@2009framat]

@@fredericpelloud7536 If you see it that way. But I guess the comment focusd on a certain period and contempories of Gershwin and C. Porter, Kern etc. are a better choice. I would add Duke Ellington born in 1898.