September 26, 1898:
Jacob Gershvin (George Gershwin) is born at 242 Snediker Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, USA, second of four children born to Russian immigrants Morris Gershvin (Moshe Gershovitz) presently a leather worker, and Rose Bruskin, daughter of a furrier.
March 21, 1914:
At a gathering of the Finley Club, a literary society connected to the City College of New York, George Gershwin (15) appears in public as pianist and composer for the first time, performing a tango of his own composition.
March 1, 1916:
With the help of Sophie Tucker, George Gershwin (17) signs his first contract as a composer, with the Harry von Tilzer Publishing Company.
May 15, 1916:
George Gershwin (17) receives his first copyright, for the song When you want ‘em, you can’t get ‘em, when you’ve got ‘em, you don’t want ‘em.
June 22, 1916:
A song by George Gershwin (17), Making of a Girl, to words of Atteridge, is performed for the first time, as part of the revue The Passing Show of 1916 at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York.
March 17, 1917:
George Gershwin (18) leaves his job as a song plugger at Jerome A. Remick’s music publishing to seek a career in musical theatre, but without immediate prospects.
February 1, 1918:
George Gershwin (19) begins work at the music publisher TB Harms in New York as a songwriter.
June 6, 1918:
You-Oo just You, a song by George Gershwin (19) to words of Caesar, is performed for the first time, as part of the revue Hitchy-koo of 1918 in the Globe Theatre, New York.
June 18, 1918:
The Ziegfeld Follies of 1918 opens at the New Amsterdam Theatre, New York, for the first time with the participation of George Gershwin (19).
October 24, 1918:
The Real American Folk Song, a song by George Gershwin (20) to words of Ira Gershwin, is performed for the first time as part of the musical comedy Ladies First, at the Broadhurst Theatre, New York. Also premiered is Gershwin’s song Some Wonderful Sort of Someone to words of Greene.
December 9, 1918:
Half Past Eight, a revue with music by George Gershwin (20) is performed for the first time, in the Empire Theatre, Syracuse, New York. It never reaches New York City.
February 6, 1919:
Two songs by George Gershwin (20) are performed for the first time as part of the musical comedy Good Morning, Judge in the Shubert Theatre, New York: I was so young, to words of Bryan and Caesar, and There’s more to the kiss than the x-x-x, to words of Caesar.
March 2, 1919:
A song by George Gershwin (20), O Land of Mine, America, is published in the New York American as one of 15 winners of a patriotic song contest. Gershwin wins the smallest prize available, $100.
April 21, 1919:
La La Lucille, a musical comedy by George Gershwin (20) with a book by Jackson and lyrics by DeSylva, Jackson, and Ceasar, is performed for the first time, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. See 26 May 1919.
May 12, 1919:
Something about Love by George Gershwin (20) to words of Paley, is performed for the first time as part of the musical comedy Lady in Red in the Lyric Theatre, New York.
May 26, 1919:
La La Lucille, a musical comedy by George Gershwin (20) with a book by Jackson and lyrics by DeSylva, Jackson, and Ceasar, opens in New York in the Henry Miller Theatre. It is Gershwin’s first full score for Broadway and will see 104 performances. See 21 April 1919.
October 24, 1919:
Two songs by George Gershwin (21), Swanee, to words of Caesar and Come to the Moon, to words of Paley and Wayburn, are performed for the first time, at the opening of the Capitol Theatre, New York.
December 27, 1919:
Morris Gest’s Midnight Whirl, a revue with book by DeSylva and Mears and music by George Gershwin (21), is performed for the first time, at Century Grove, Century Theatre, New York.
January 8, 1920:
Al Jolson records Swanee for Columbia Records. It will be George Gershwin’s (21) first “hit”, selling in the hundreds of thousands.
February 2, 1920:
We’re Pals, a song by George Gershwin (21) to words of Caesar, is performed for the first time as part of the musical comedy Dere Mabel in the Academy of Music, Baltimore.
February 27, 1920:
George Gershwin (21) signs a contract with George White to compose music for his yearly Scandals. His salary is $75 per week.
April 5, 1920:
Oo, how I love to be loved by you, a song by George Gershwin (21) to words of Ira Gershwin, is performed for the first time as part of the revue Ed Wynn’s Carnival in the New Amsterdam Theatre, New York.
June 7, 1920:
George White’s Scandals of 1920, a musical revue with six new songs by George Gershwin (21) to words of Jackson, is performed for the first time, in the Globe Theatre, New York.
August 31, 1920:
Waiting for the Sun to Come Out, a song by George Gershwin (21) to words of Ira Gershwin, is performed for the first time as part of the musical comedy The Sweetheart Shop in the Knickerbocker Theatre, New York.
September 29, 1920:
Three songs by George Gershwin (22) are performed for the first time, as part of the revue Broadway Brevities of 1920 in the Winter Garden Theatre, New York: Lu Lu and Snowflakes, to words of Jackson, and Spanish Love, to words of Caesar.
March 21, 1921:
A Dangerous Maid, a musical comedy by George Gershwin (22) to a book by Bell and lyrics by Ira Gershwin, is performed for the first time, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It will never make it to New York.
July 4, 1921:
George White’s Scandals of 1921, a revue with book by Baer and White, lyrics by Jackson, and five new songs by George Gershwin (22), is performed for the first time, at Nixon’s Apollo Theatre, Atlantic City, New Jersey. See 11 July 1921.
July 11, 1921:
George White’s Scandals of 1921, a revue with book by Baer and White, lyrics by Jackson, and five new songs by George Gershwin (22), opens in New York, at the Liberty Theatre. See 4 July 1921.
November 7, 1921:
Two songs by George Gershwin (23) are performed for the first time, as part of the musical comedy The Perfect Fool in the George M. Cohan Theatre, New York: My Log-Cabin Home, to words of Caesar and DeSylva, and No One Else but that Girl of Mine, to words of Caesar.
February 20, 1922:
Two songs by George Gershwin (23) to words of Ira Gershwin are performed for the first time, as part of the musical comedy For Goodness Sake in the Lyric Theatre, New York: Someone and Tra-la-la. At the same time, one of Gershwin’s songs to words of DeSylva is premiered at the Lyceum Theatre, New York as part of the play with music The French Doll: Do it again!
July 6, 1922:
The Yankee Doodle Blues, a song by George Gershwin (23) to words of Caesar and DeSylva, is performed for the first time, as part of the revue Spice of 1922 in the Winter Garden Theatre, New York.
August 28, 1922:
George White’s Scandals of 1922, with a book by Fields, Rice, and White, lyrics by DeSylva, Goetz, and Ira Gershwin, and seven new songs by George Gershwin (23), opens in New York, in the Globe Theatre. Part of the Scandals is an opera “ala Afro-American” called Blue Monday. Critic Charles Darnton will call it "the most dismal, stupid and incredibly blackface sketch that has probably ever been perpetrated." It is removed after the first performance and will be performed separately as 135th Street.
November 20, 1922:
Our Nell, a musical comedy by George Gershwin (24) to a book by Hooker and Thomas and lyrics by Hooker, is performed for the first time, in Stamford, Connecticut. See 4 December 1922.
December 4, 1922:
Our Nell, a musical comedy by George Gershwin (24) to a book by Hooker and Thomas and lyrics by Hooker, opens in New York, at the Nora Bayes Theatre, the first of 40 performances. See 20 November 1922.
January 24, 1923:
That American Boy of Mine, a song by George Gershwin (24) to words of Caesar, is performed for the first time, as part of the musical comedy The Dancing Girl at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York.
February 4, 1923:
Arnold Schoenberg’s (28) Pierrot Lunaire is performed in the western hemisphere for the first time, in the Klaw Theatre, New York. The concert is organized by Edgar Varese (39) and the audience includes George Gershwin (24) and Carl Ruggles (46).
February 17, 1923:
George Gershwin (24) arrives in London to produce The Rainbow.
April 3, 1923:
The Rainbow, a musical comedy with book by de Courville, Scott, and Wallace, lyrics by Grey and Hooker and music by George Gershwin (24), is performed for the first time, at the Empire Theatre, London.
April 25, 1923:
The Sunshine Trail, a film with a title song by George Gershwin (24), to words of Ira Gershwin, is released in the United States.
May 30, 1923:
A production called Stop Flirting with several already-performed songs by George Gershwin (24) opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London. It runs for 418 performances and establishes Gershwin, and Fred Astaire, on the London stage.
June 5, 1923:
George White’s Scandals of 1923, a revue with book by Wells and White, lyrics by DeSylva and Goetz, and eight new songs by George Gershwin (24), is performed for the first time in Nixon’s Apollo Theatre, Atlantic City, New Jersey. See 18 June 1923.
June 18, 1923:
George White’s Scandals of 1923, a revue with book by Wells and White, lyrics by DeSylva and Goetz, and eight new songs by George Gershwin (24), opens in New York, at the Globe Theatre. See 5 June 1923.
August 28, 1923:
I won’t say I will but I won’t say I won’t, a song by George Gershwin (24) to words of DeSylva and Ira Gershwin, is performed for the first time, as part of the play with music Little Miss Bluebeard at the Lyceum Theatre, New York.
September 25, 1923:
Two songs by George Gershwin are performed for the first time on the eve of his 25th birthday, as part of the revue Nifties of 1923 to words of DeSylva and Caesar, at the Fulton Theatre, New York: At Half Past Seven, to words of DeSylva, and Nashville Nightingale, to words of Caesar.
November 1, 1923:
In perhaps the first inclusion of jazz in an American concert hall, George Gershwin (25) is one of two pianists used to accompany Canadian soprano Eva Gauthier in an eclectic recital in Aeolian Hall, New York including some contemporary popular song.
December 20, 1923:
The Perfect Lady, a musical comedy with book by Mandel and Schwab, lyrics by DeSylva and seven new songs by George Gershwin (25), is performed for the first time in the Shubert Theatre, Boston. Before it hits New York it will be renamed Sweet Little Devil. See 21 January 1924.
January 5, 1924:
George Gershwin (25) speaks to Paul Whiteman by phone and agrees to compose an extended work in a jazz idiom for piano and orchestra. It will be orchestrated by Ferde Grofe.
January 21, 1924:
Sweet Little Devil, a musical comedy with book by Mandel and Schwab, lyrics by DeSylva and seven new songs by George Gershwin (25), is performed for the first time in New York, in the Astor Theatre. It will receive 120 performances. See 20 December 1923.
February 12, 1924:
“An experiment in modern music” takes place in Aeolian Hall, New York when Rhapsody in Blue for piano and jazz band by George Gershwin (25) is performed for the first time, the composer at the piano. Among the overflow audience is Ernest Bloch (43), Sergey Rakhmaninov (50), John Philip Sousa (69), Walter Damrosch, Willem Mengelberg, Leopold Stokowski, Jascha Heifetz, Fritz Kreisler, Mary Garden, John McCormack, and Leopold Godowsky. Critics are strongly divided, but the Whiteman band (who plays today) will perform the Rhapsody 84 times in 1924 alone. Also on the program is the premiere of Suite of Serenades for orchestra by Victor Herbert (65). This is the last appearance of Herbert as composer.
April 21, 1924:
George Gershwin (25) plays Rhapsody in Blue with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, New York.
May 28, 1924:
A funeral procession in memory of Victor Herbert proceeds from the ASCAP offices at 56 West 45th Street, New York, down Fifth Avenue to St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church for an elaborate service. The body is then transported to Woodlawn Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers include John Philip Sousa (69), George Gershwin (25), and Jerome Kern.
June 30, 1924:
George White’s Scandals of 1924, a revue with book by Wells and White, lyrics by DeSylva and MacDonald and seven songs by George Gershwin (25), is performed for the first time, at the Apollo Theatre, New York. One of the new songs is Somebody Loves Me.
July 8, 1924:
George Gershwin (25) boards ship in New York for his second trip to Britain.
September 11, 1924:
Primrose, a musical comedy with book by Bolton and Grossmith, lyrics by Carter and Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (25), is performed for the first time, at the Winter Garden Theatre, London. It will go for 255 performances.
November 17, 1924:
Lady Be Good, a musical comedy with book by Bolton and Thompson, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (26), is performed for the first time in Philadelphia. Songs by Gershwin include Fascinating Rhythm and the title song. The Man I Love will be cut before the play reaches New York. See 1 December 1924.
December 1, 1924:
Lady Be Good, a musical comedy with book by Bolton and Thompson, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (26), opens in New York, at the Liberty Theatre. Songs by Gershwin include Fascinating Rhythm and the title song. The Man I Love was cut before the play reached New York. It will see 330 performances. See 17 November 1924.
January 7, 1925:
At the New York home of mutual friends Paul and Zosia Kochansky, Igor Stravinsky (42) and George Gershwin (26) meet for the first time. Tomorrow, Stravinsky will give his first performances in the United States, conducting the New York Philharmonic. Stravinsky finds Gershwin “nervously energetic.” (Peyser, 97)
February 8, 1925:
Short Story, a piano work by George Gershwin (26) arranged for violin and piano by Samuel Dushkin, is performed for the first time, at the University Club, New York.
April 6, 1925:
Tell Me More, a musical comedy with a book by Thompson and Wells, lyrics by DeSylva and Ira Gershwin and music by George Gershwin (26), is performed for the first time in Atlantic City. See 13 April 1925.
April 13, 1925:
Tell Me More, a musical comedy with a book by Thompson and Wells, lyrics by DeSylva and Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (26), opens in New York, at the Gaiety Theatre. It runs for 100 performances. See 6 April 1925.
April 17, 1925:
George Gershwin (26) signs a contract with the Symphony Society of New York to produce a piano concerto for performance in December.
July 20, 1925:
George Gershwin (26) becomes the first American born musician to appear on the cover of Time magazine.
November 24, 1925:
Tip Toes, a musical comedy with book by Bolton and Thompson, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (27), is performed for the first time, in Washington. See 28 December 1925.
December 3, 1925:
Concerto in F for piano and orchestra by George Gershwin (27) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York, the composer at the keyboard. The critics are generally ambivalent.
December 10, 1925:
Song of the Flame, an operetta by H. Stothart and George Gershwin (27) to words of Hammerstein and Harbach, is performed for the first time, in Wilmington, Delaware. See 30 December 1925.
December 28, 1925:
Tip Toes, a musical comedy with book by Bolton and Thompson, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (27), opens in New York, at the Liberty Theatre. It will run for 194 performances. See 24 November 1925.
December 30, 1925:
Song of the Flame, an operetta by Herbert Stothart and George Gershwin (27) to words of Hammerstein and Harbach, opens in New York, at the 44th Street Theatre. It will see 219 performances. See 10 December 1925.
January 24, 1926:
Levee Land for soprano, two violins, woodwinds, tenor banjo, piano, and percussion by William Grant Still (30) is performed for the first time, at an International Composers' Guild concert in Aeolian Hall, New York. Also premiered is Portals for strings by Carl Ruggles (49). The audience, which includes George Gershwin (27), requires Portals to be repeated but the critics are mixed.
July 26, 1926:
That Lost Barber Shop Chord, a song by George Gershwin (27) to words of Ira Gershwin, is performed for the first time, as part of the revue Americana in the Belmont Theatre, New York.
August 30, 1926:
George Gershwin (27) autographs a copy of Rhapsody in Blue for WC Handy, writing “For Mr. Handy, whose early ‘blue’ songs are the forefathers of this work. With admiration and best wishes.”
October 18, 1926:
Oh, Kay!, a musical comedy with a book by Bolton and Wodehouse, lyrics by Dietz and Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (28), is performed for the first time in Philadelphia. One of the new songs is Someone to Watch Over Me. See 8 November 1926.
November 8, 1926:
Oh, Kay!, a musical comedy with a book by Bolton and Wodehouse, lyrics by Dietz and Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (28), opens in New York, at the Imperial Theatre. One of the new songs is Someone to Watch Over Me. It runs for 256 performances. One night during the rehearsals, Gershwin was so stressed he reached for a book to help him sleep. Instead, he became so interested in it, he continued reading until he finished the book, about 04:00. He immediately wrote a letter to its author, DuBose Heyward, proposing an opera on it. The book is named Porgy. See 18 October 1926.
December 4, 1926:
Three Preludes and Two Novellettes for piano by George Gershwin (28) are performed for the first time, by the composer at the Hotel Roosevelt, New York.
January 29, 1927:
At the International Referendum Concert of the Franco-American Music Society in Town Hall, New York, the first two movements of Charles Ives' (52) Symphony no.4 are heard for the first time, causing a riot in the audience. One member of that audience, Darius Milhaud (34), there to hear his own work performed, is much taken with Ives' music and decides to have lunch with him. George Gershwin (28) is also there but his attempts to contact Ives go unanswered. This marks the first time that the music of Charles Ives is seriously considered by important critics. See 10 May 1933 and 26 April 1965.
August 29, 1927:
Strike Up the Band, an operetta with book by Kaufman, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (28), is performed for the first time, at the Broadway Theatre, Long Branch, New Jersey. The play never reaches New York. One of the new songs is The Man I Love. See 14 January 1930.
October 11, 1927:
Smarty, a musical comedy with book by Smith and Thompson, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and music by George Gershwin (29), is performed for the first time in the Shubert Theatre, Philadelphia. It includes the song ‘S Wonderful. By the time it gets to New York the name is changed to Funny Face. See 22 November 1927.
November 22, 1927:
Funny Face, a musical comedy with book by Smith and Thompson, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (29), opens in New York, in the Alvin Theatre. It includes the song ‘S Wonderful. This is the first production in the Alvin Theatre and it runs for 244 performances. See 11 October 1927.
December 8, 1927:
Rosalie, a musical comedy with a book by Bolton and McGuire, lyrics by Wodehouse and Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (29) is performed for the first time, in Boston. It includes the song How Long Has This Been Going On? See 10 January 1928.
January 10, 1928:
Rosalie, a musical comedy with a book by Bolton and McGuire, lyrics by Wodehouse and Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (29) opens in New York, at the New Amsterdam Theatre. It includes the song How Long Has This Been Going On. The play will see 335 performances. See 8 December 1927.
March 7, 1928:
At a party celebrating the 53rd birthday of Maurice Ravel in the New York home of Eva Gauthier, George Gershwin (29) meets the French composer for the first time. When Ms. Gauthier asked Ravel if there was anything he wanted he replied, “to meet George Gershwin.” Gershwin asks to study with Ravel, but the Frenchman politely declines. He doesn’t want Gershwin to end up writing “bad Ravel.”
March 8, 1928:
Maurice Ravel (53), in New York, writes to Nadia Boulanger (40) in Paris. “There is a musician here endowed with the most brilliant, most enchanting, and perhaps the most profound talent: George Gershwin (29). His worldwide success no longer satisfies him, for he is aiming higher. He knows that he lacks the technical means to achieve his goal. In teaching him those means, one might ruin his talent. Would you have the courage, which I wouldn't dare have, to undertake this awesome responsibility?" She will politely decline.
March 11, 1928:
George Gershwin (29), his sister Frances, brother Ira, and Ira’s wife Leonore set sail from New York for London and the continent.
April 16, 1928:
George Gershwin (29) and members of his family attend a ballet based on his Rhapsody in Blue done by the Ballets Russes at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées.
April 25, 1928:
George Gershwin (29) has lunch with Franz Léhar (57) in Berlin.
May 5, 1928:
George Gershwin (29) and Alban Berg (43) meet for the first time, in Vienna.
May 10, 1928:
George Gershwin (29) accompanies his sister Frankie (Frances) at the gala opening night of Cole Parter's La Revue des Ambassadeurs in Paris.
May 30, 1928:
After hearing the Concerto in F last night, Sergey Prokofiev (37) invites George Gershwin (29) to his Paris apartment. They spend the afternoon together, Gershwin doing most of the playing. Prokofiev likes Gershwin and most of his music, but not the Concerto. The Russian predicts great things for the American.
June 15, 1928:
George Gershwin (29) returns to New York after three months in Europe.
October 15, 1928:
Treasure Girl, a musical comedy with book by Lawrence and Thompson, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (30), is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia. See 8 November 1928.
November 8, 1928:
Treasure Girl, a musical comedy with book by Lawrence and Thompson, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (30), opens in New York, in the Alvin Theatre. It is a failure, with only 68 performances. See 15 October 1928.
December 13, 1928:
George Gershwin’s (30) tone poem An American in Paris is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York. Critics are widely mixed.
June 24, 1929:
Show Girl, a musical comedy with book by McGuire and McEvoy, lyrics by Kahn and Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (30), is performed for the first time in Boston. See 24 June 1929.
July 2, 1929:
Show Girl, a musical comedy with book by McGuire and McEvoy, lyrics by Kahn and Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (30), opens in New York, in the Ziegfeld Theatre. It runs for 111 performances. See 24 June 1929.
August 26, 1929:
George Gershwin (30) makes his conducting debut, directing members of the New York Philharmonic in An American in Paris, at Lewisohn Stadium, New York.
September 30, 1929:
George Gershwin (31) signs a contract with the Metropolitan Opera, New York to compose an opera based on Rappoport’s play The Dybbuk.
October 28, 1929:
Serge Koussevitzky writes to George Gershwin (31) asking him to compose a work for the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He types the letter personally. Gershwin will accept and create his Second Rhapsody. See 29 January 1932.
December 14, 1929:
After a performance of Rhapsody in Blue by the New York Philharmonic, the composer at the piano, Alyeksandr Glazunov (64) goes backstage and is introduced to Gershwin (31). Gershwin expresses the desire to travel to Russia and study orchestration with Glazunov. The Russian declines.
December 25, 1929:
The second version of Strike Up the Band, an operetta with a book by Ryskind, after Kaufman, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (31), is performed for the first time, in Boston. See 5 September 1927 and 14 January 1930.
January 14, 1930:
The second version of Strike Up the Band, an operetta with a book by Ryskind, after Kaufman, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (31), opens in New York, in the Times Square Theatre. It will see 191 performances. At a reception afterward, Gershwin meets Sergey Prokofiev (38) for a second time. See 5 September 1927 and 25 December 1929.
September 29, 1930:
Girl Crazy, a musical comedy with a book by Bolton and McGowan, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (32), is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia. It includes the songs Embraceable You and I Got Rhythm. See 14 October 1930.
October 14, 1930:
Girl Crazy, a musical comedy with a book by Bolton and McGowan, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (32), opens in New York, in the Alvin Theatre, conducted by the composer. Ethel Merman’s interpretation of the Gershwin numbers causes wild applause and calls for encores. During intermission, George Gershwin tells her, “Don’t ever let anybody give you a singing lesson. It’ll ruin you.” Girl Crazy includes the songs Embraceable You and I Got Rhythm and will run for 272 performances. See 29 September 1930.
June 26, 1931:
George Gershwin (32) hires a studio at NBC New York and 55 musicians to play through his Second Rhapsody so he can hear the orchestration. He likes what he hears. See 29 January 1932.
December 3, 1931:
Delicious, a film with music by George Gershwin (33), is released in the United States. See 25 December 1931.
December 8, 1931:
Of Thee I Sing, an operetta with a book by Kaufman and Ryskind, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (33), is performed for the first time, in Boston. See 26 December 1931.
December 25, 1931:
Delicious, a film with music by George Gershwin (33), opens in New York and several other cities in the United States. See 3 December 1931.
December 26, 1931:
Of Thee I Sing, an operetta with a book by Kaufman and Ryskind, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and music by George Gershwin (33), opens in New York, in the Music Box Theatre. Its run of 441 performances is Gershwin’s greatest success in musical theatre. See 8 December 1931.
January 29, 1932:
The Second Rhapsody for piano and orchestra by George Gershwin (33) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston the composer at the keyboard. The press is positive, the public ecstatic. It was commissioned for the 50th anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. See 28 October 1929 and 26 June 1931.
March 27, 1932:
Girl Crazy, a film with music by George Gershwin (33), is released in the United States.
May 2, 1932:
A Pulitzer Prize is awarded to George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind, and Ira Gershwin for Of Thee I Sing. It is the first time that the Pulitzer for drama is granted to a musical. However, since this is a literary award, the name of the composer, George Gershwin (33) is not on the citation.
August 8, 1932:
Walter Lowenfels, an American playwright living in Paris, sues the authors, publishers, and producers of Of Thee I Sing (music by George Gershwin (33)), claiming their work is taken directly from his play USA with Music which he wrote with George Antheil. See 28 December 1932.
August 16, 1932:
The first concert entirely devoted to the music of George Gershwin (33) takes place, in the presence of the composer, at Lewisohn Stadium, New York. The performance includes the premiere of Rumba, later known as Cuban Overture. It is also the first time the New York Philharmonic devotes an entire concert to a living composer.
November 1, 1932:
George Gershwin (34) conducts and performs his works at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York.
December 2, 1932:
Pardon My English, a musical comedy with a book by Fields, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (34), is performed for the first time, Philadelphia. See 20 January 1933.
January 20, 1933:
Pardon My English, a musical comedy with a book by Fields, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (34), opens in New York, in the Majestic Theatre. It is a failure, receiving only 46 performances. See 2 December 1932.
October 2, 1933:
Let ‘em Eat Cake, an operetta with a book by Kaufman and Ryskind, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (35) is performed for the first time, in Boston. See 21 October 1933.
October 17, 1933:
George Gershwin (35) and DuBose Heyward sign a contract with Broadway’s Theatre Guild to compose Porgy and Bess.
October 21, 1933:
Let ‘em Eat Cake, an operetta with a book by Kaufman and Ryskind, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and music by George Gershwin (35), opens in New York, in the Imperial Theatre. The critics are not impressed. It will receive 90 performances. See 2 October 1933.
January 14, 1934:
Variations on I Got Rhythm, for piano and orchestra by George Gershwin (35), is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston the composer at the keyboard.
February 19, 1934:
George Gershwin (35) begins a twice weekly radio program, “Music by Gershwin” over the airwaves of New York radio station WJZ. It airs for 15 minutes on Monday and Friday.
February 20, 1934:
Four Saints in Three Acts, an opera by Virgil Thomson (37) to words of Stein, opens in the 44th Street Theatre in New York. Two days before the opening the New York fire marshal condemns the set. Producers respond by coating the entire set with a flame retardant chemical. Reluctantly, the fire marshal allows the production to proceed. It is the hit of the Broadway season. The press runs from confusion to euphoria. George Gershwin (35) is in the audience. He finds the music “entertaining” but is not impressed by the libretto. See 8 February 1934.
May 31, 1934:
The first run of George Gershwin’s (35) twice weekly radio program, “Music by Gershwin” over the airwaves of New York radio station WJZ, concludes.
June 16, 1934:
George Gershwin (35) sails from New York for Charleston, South Carolina. He will work with DuBose Heyward on Porgy and Bess.
September 30, 1934:
George Gershwin (36) begins a half-hour-long weekly radio program, “Music by Gershwin”, on Sunday nights over the airwaves of the Columbia Broadcasting System. It will run until 23 December.
December 23, 1934:
George Gershwin (36) concludes his 30-minute radio program on Sunday nights, “Music by Gershwin.” It has aired since 30 September.
December 29, 1934:
George Gershwin (36) performs at the White House for President Roosevelt.
September 30, 1935:
Porgy and Bess, an opera by George Gershwin (37) to words of DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin, is performed for the first time, in an out-of-town tryout in the Colonial Theatre, Boston. It is an enormous success but one-quarter of the score will be cut before New York. See 10 October 1935.
October 10, 1935:
The official premiere of Porgy and Bess, an opera by George Gershwin (37) to words of DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin, takes place in the Alvin Theatre, New York. Critics are mixed. After the performance, the Gershwins meet Kurt Weill (35) recently arrived from Europe. See 30 September 1935.
October 14, 1935:
The first commercial recording of music from Porgy and Bess takes place in New York, supervised by the composer, George Gershwin (37).
January 21, 1936:
Catfish Row, an orchestral suite from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin (37), is performed for the first time, at the Philadelphia Academy of Music.
January 26, 1936:
The first New York run of Porgy and Bess closes. Its authors, DuBose Heyward, George Gershwin (37), and Ira Gershwin lose their investment. However, this will be more than made up by royalties from the songs.
April 21, 1936:
An exhibition of paintings by George Gershwin (37) opens at the Society of Independent Artists, New York.
December 25, 1936:
By Strauss, a song by George Gershwin (38) to words of Ira Gershwin, is performed for the first time as part of the revue The Show is On at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York.
February 9, 1937:
Alfredo Casella (53) writes to George Gershwin (38) informing him that he has been elected to honorary membership in the Royal Academy of Santa Cecilia in Rome.
February 10, 1937:
While conducting a rehearsal in Los Angeles Philharmonic Auditorium, George Gershwin (38) feels light-headed and almost falls off the podium. He is able to continue the rehearsal.
February 11, 1937:
While performing his Concerto in F in Los Angeles, George Gershwin (38) experiences a brief blackout. A physical examination will reveal nothing unusual. This is his last public performance.
May 7, 1937:
Shall We Dance, a film with music by George Gershwin (38) to words of Ira Gershwin, is released in the United States. See 13 May 1937.
May 13, 1937:
Shall We Dance, a film with music by George Gershwin (38) to words of Ira Gershwin, is shown for the first time in Radio City Music Hall, New York. It includes the song They Can’t Take That Away From Me. See 7 May 1937.
June 9, 1937:
A team of doctors visits George Gershwin (38) at his home in Los Angeles. They diagnose his headaches as nothing serious.
June 20, 1937:
After suffering headaches and dizzy spells for three months, George Gershwin (38) undergoes a neurological examination which shows no discernable abnormalities.
June 23, 1937:
George Gershwin (38) enters Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, Los Angeles for four days of diagnostic neurological tests. A spinal tap, which could reveal the presence of a brain tumor, is rejected by Gershwin as too painful and time consuming.
June 26, 1937:
After four days of tests to discover the cause of his headaches and erratic behavior, George Gershwin (38) is released from Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles. The doctors diagnose hysteria.
July 9, 1937:
In the morning, George Gershwin (38) plays the piano in his Los Angeles home, at the request of his doctor and is still able to manage the keyboard, but in the evening he begins to lose consciousness. The composer is rushed to a hospital and examined by a neurosurgeon.
July 10, 1937:
The White House sends two naval vessels into Chesapeake Bay to find Dr. Walter Dandy, one of the top neurosurgeons in the United States, who is currently vacationing on a yacht. He is found and dispatched to Newark for a plane to Los Angeles to operate on George Gershwin (38). Meanwhile, another neurosurgeon, Dr. Howard Naffziger is found vacationing at Lake Tahoe and brought back to Los Angeles.
July 11, 1937:
After a spinal tap confirms the presence of a brain tumor, George Gershwin is operated on at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles by Dr. Howard Naffziger, with Dr. Walter Dandy advising by telephone from Newark. A benign cyst is removed but then doctors discover a malignant glioblastoma. Five hours after the operation (10:35) Gershwin dies without regaining consciousness, aged 38 years, nine months, and 15 days.
July 11, 1937:
During Parents’ Weekend at the all-Jewish Camp Onota in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, news arrives of the death of George Gershwin. One of the counselors, Leonard Bernstein (18), goes to the piano in the mess hall, plays a loud chord to quiet the din, and announces the passing of “America’s greatest Jewish composer.” He then plays Gershwin’s Prelude for Piano no.2.
July 15, 1937:
Funeral services for the memory of George Gershwin are held at Temple Emanu-El, New York, attended by 3,500 people. Police hold back 1,000 more outside along Fifth Avenue. Mourners include Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, Walter Damrosch, George M. Cohan, Al Jolson, and former mayor James J. Walker. The composer’s earthly remains are laid to rest in Mount Hope Cemetery, Hastings-on-Hudson in Westchester County.
August 9, 1937:
20,000 people attend a concert at Lewisohn Stadium in memory of George Gershwin (†0)
September 8, 1937:
A memorial concert for George Gershwin (†0) from the Hollywood Bowl is broadcast around the world.
November 19, 1937:
The film A Damsel in Distress with music by George Gershwin (†0) to words of Ira Gershwin is shown for the first time, at Radio City Music Hall, New York. It includes the song A Foggy Day.
December 18, 1937:
An exhibition of 39 paintings by George Gershwin (†0) opens in New York.
January 28, 1938:
The Goldwyn Follies, a film with music by George Gershwin (†0) to words of Ira Gershwin, is shown for the first time, in Miami. Some songs were completed by Vernon Duke after the death of Gershwin during filming.
September 17, 1940:
A filmed version of the musical Strike Up the Band with music by George Gershwin (†3) is released.
July 16, 1941:
A filmed version of the musical Lady, Be Good! with music by George Gershwin (†4) is released.
June 26, 1945:
Rhapsody in Blue, a film biography of George Gershwin (†7), is released in Hollywood.
November 11, 1947:
The film The Shocking Miss Pilgrim is released. The score is made up of unpublished songs by George Gershwin (†10).
October 4, 1951:
An American in Paris, a film with music by George Gershwin (†14), is released.
February 19, 1953:
US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles orders the removal from International Information Administration libraries and Voice of America broadcasts, any music by a communist or communist sympathizer. These include works by Aaron Copland (52), George Gershwin (†15), Roger Sessions (56), Virgil Thomson (56), Roy Harris (55), and Leonard Bernstein (34).
February 13, 1957:
A film of the musical Funny Face with music by George Gershwin (†19) is released.
July 1, 1959:
A filmed version of Porgy and Bess with music by George Gershwin (†20) is released.
April 5, 1960:
Leonard Bernstein (41) conducts the New York Philharmonic at the White House before President Eisenhower, playing Mozart (†168) and Gershwin (†22). Eisenhower tells Bernstein that he enjoyed Rhapsody in Blue. “It’s got a theme. I like music with a theme, not all them arias and barcarolles.”
August 29, 1963:
Lullaby for string quartet by George Gershwin (†26) is performed publicly for the first time, in Edinburgh, in a setting for harmonica and string quartet by Larry Adler. See 19 October 1967.
October 19, 1967:
Lullaby for string quartet by George Gershwin (†30) is performed publicly for the first time in its original setting, in Washington, 47 years after it was composed. See 29 August 1963.
April 14, 1998:
The Pulitzer Committee bestows a special citation posthumously on George Gershwin (†60), commemorating the centennial year of his birth, for his distinguished and enduring contributions to American music.