A Gershwin Tribute to Love

George Gershwin/arr. Brent Heisinger

A Gershwin Tribute to Love is a medley of four Gershwin favorites: “‘S Wonderful,” “Love is Here to Stay,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” and “Embraceable You.” Arranged by composer Brent Heisinger, the work incorporates a combination of fast and slow, swing and “straight” styles, with richly varied orchestration for concert band.

George Gershwin (1898–1937) was a gifted American composer who successfully blended popular and classical music. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he began his musical training at thirteen years of age. He left school at fifteen to work as a “song plugger” on Tin Pan Alley where he saw his first tune published within three years. He teamed up with his older brother Ira as lyricist and soon the Gershwins became the dominant Broadway songwriters, creating brisk, infectious rhythm numbers and affectingly poignant ballads.

Also a piano virtuoso and a conductor, George 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.