Gershwin!

George Gershwin/arr. Warren Barker

Gershwin! features five popular Gershwin favorites arranged for symphonic band: “Fascinating Rhythm”, “Embraceable You”, “Somebody Loves Me”, “Someone To Watch Over Me”, and “I Got Rhythm”.

George Gershwin (1898-1937) occupies a unique space in American musical history. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he began his musical training at thirteen years of age. He left school at fifteen to work as a Tin Pan Alley “song plugger”, and within three years saw his first song published. When George teamed up with his older brother Ira as lyricist, the Gershwins became the dominant Broadway songwriters, creating brisk, infectious rhythm numbers and affectingly poignant ballads. A piano virtuoso and a conductor, Gershwin is best known for his musical compositions which elevated musical comedy to an art form. He wrote popular songs, art music, a folk opera and over two dozen scores for Broadway and Hollywood. His untimely death at 38 was caused by a brain tumor.

Warren Barker (1923-2006) arranged this music. Educated at UCLA, Mr. Barker was an American composer for film, radio, television and Las Vegas clubs. He composed the incidental music for the hit 1960s TV series Bewitched and he composed and arranged numerous pieces for concert band.

Last updated on July 18, 2013 by Palatine Concert Band