ENDEIT
George Gershwin
Photo: Carl Van Vechten, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pianists · 1898–1937

George Gershwin

American composer and pianist (1898–1937)

Born
26 September 1898
Brooklyn
Died
11 July 1937
Hollywood
Country
United States
Active
1914–1937
Record labels
Victor Talking Machine Company
Discography
235 albums

Biography

George Gershwin was a jazz musician who played piano. George Gershwin was born on 26 September 1898 in Brooklyn and died on 11 July 1937 in Hollywood. The music is usually filed under jazz, classical music and opera. Record labels: Victor Talking Machine Company. The discography here lists 235 albums, from “Rhapsody in Blue” (1947) to “Rhapsody in Black” (2026). Honours include Grammy Trustees Award (1986), star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (1998) and Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards (1998).

George Gershwin (; born Jacob Gershwine; September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist whose compositions spanned jazz, popular and classical music. Among his best-known works are the songs "Swanee" (1919) and "Fascinating Rhythm" (1924), the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American in Paris (1928) and his Piano Concerto (1925), the jazz standards "Embraceable You" (1928) and "I Got Rhythm" (1930) and the opera Porgy and Bess (1935), which included the hit "Summertime". His Of Thee I Sing (1931) was the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, although as composer, he did not participate in reception of the award. Gershwin studied piano under Charles Hambitzer and composition with Rubin Goldmark, Henry Cowell, and Joseph Brody. He began his career as a song plugger but soon started composing Broadway theater works with his brother Ira Gershwin and with Buddy DeSylva.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Rhapsody in Blue 1947
George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess 1956 · Bethlehem Records
Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris 1959 · Columbia Masterworks
The George Gershwin Story 1959 · Epic Concerto in F Major & Rhapsody in Blue 1960 · Sony Classical
An American in Paris / Rhapsody in Blue 1961 · Vox
Porgy And Bess 1962 · World Record Club
Rhapsody in Blue / Un américain à Paris 1962 · Philips
Rhapsody In Blue / An American In Paris / Concerto In F 1966 · Columbia Record Club George Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue and Other Favorites 1967 · Everest Records Rhapsody in Blue 1967 · RCA Victor Red Seal Rhapsody in Blue / Concerto in F 1967 · Columbia Masterworks
"Porgy & Bess" and "An American in Paris" 1972 · Command Records
The Complete Gershwin: Works for Orchestra, Piano & Orchestra 1974 · Vox Box Gershwin on Broadway 1976 · Sony Classical Porgy and Bess 1976 · Decca Records
Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris / Broadway Overtures 1976 · Columbia
Gershwin: An American in Paris / Russo: Street Music 1977 · Deutsche Grammophon
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue/An American in Paris 1978 · CBS Odyssey
Porgy and Bess 1978 · RCA Red Seal Barbara Hendricks Sings Gershwin 1981 · Philips Porgy and Bess in Concert / Girl Crazy Overture 1981 · MMG Previn Conducts Gershwin 1981 · His Master’s Voice Concerto pour piano - Rhapsody in Blue 1982 · Philips Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / Addinsell: Warsaw Concerto 1983 · Philips Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / Barber: Adagio for Strings / Copland: Appalachian Spring 1983 · PolyGram Rhapsody in Blue / Piano Concerto in F / An American in Paris 1983 · Music for Pleasure Rhapsody in Blue / Piano Concerto in F: versions for two pianos 1983 · Philips The Gershwin Album 1983 · CBS Records Masterworks George Gershwin: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in F / Aaron Copland: Billy The Kid 1984 · Terpsichore Rhapsody in Blue / “I Got Rhythm” Variations / Catfish Row 1984 · EMI Digital Fascinatin' Rampal Plays Gershwin 1985 · CBS Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris 1985 · Vero Rhapsody in Blue / Concerto in F / American in Paris 1985 Rhapsody in Blue / Piano Concerto in F / An American in Paris 1985 · Philips Rhapsody in Blue / Second Rhapsody for Orchestra with Piano / Preludes / Unpublished Piano Works 1985 · CBS Records Masterworks George Gershwin's Song Book 1986 · Angel Records Piano Concerto 1986 · Pro-Arte Digital Catfish Row (Suite From "Porgy And Bess") / An American in Paris / Cuban Overture / Lullaby 1987 · EMI Digital Concerto in F / Rhapsody in Blue 1987 · RCA Camden François-Joel Thiollier joue Gershwin 1987 · disques concord George Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue (using the original piano rolls) 1987 · Pro-Arte Records Gershwin Gold: Volume Two 1987 · RPO Records Kiri Sings Gershwin 1987 · Angel Records L’Oeuvre pour Piano 1987 · Thésis Piano Music / Songs 1987 · Elektra Nonesuch Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris / Lullaby / Cuban Overture 1987 · Decca Records Rhapsody in Blue / The Gershwin Songbook / Who Cares? 1987 · RPO Records Rhapsody in Electric Blue 1987 · Newport Classic Rhapsody in blue, Concerto en fa / Rhapsodie sur un thème de Paganini 1987 · Pathé Marconi EMI Strike Up the Band: The Canadian Brass Plays George Gershwin 1987 · RCA Red Seal
An American in Paris (The Philadelphia Orchestra) 1988 · CBS
An American in Paris / Cuban Overture / Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture 1988 · BMG
An American in Paris / Porgy & Bess: A Symphonic Picture 1988 · CBS Odyssey
Gershwin: American in Paris / Concerto in F / Barber: Symphony no. 1 1988 · Stradivari Classics Gershwin: An American in Paris / Rhapsody in Blue / Concerto in F 1988 · Arabesque Recordings Music of George Gershwin 1988 · Vanguard Everyman Classics Rhapsody in Blue / Concerto in F 1988 · Telarc Digital Second Rhapsody: Music for Two Pianos by George Gershwin 1988 · EMI Complete Piano Works 1989 · BIS Gershwin: Piano Concerto / Cuban Overture / Milhaud: La Création du monde 1989 · Supraphon Highlights from Porgy and Bess 1989 · Musical Heritage Society Pops by George 1989 · Philips Porgy and Bess 1989 · EMI Digital Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris 1989 Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris / Porgy and Bess (Orchestral Suite) 1989 · LaserLight Digital Selections From Porgy and Bess 1989 · Quintessence Virtuoso Piano Music 1989 · Aurophon Fascinating Rhythm: The Complete Music for Solo Piano 1990 · helios Gershwin by Gershwin 1990 · Pro-Arte Records Gershwin: 3 Preludes / 6 Songs / Corea: 20 Children's Songs 1990 · Naxos Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / Addinsell: Warsaw Concerto 1990 · Philips Classics Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris 1990 · Quintessence Digital
Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris 1990 · Telarc Digital
Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris / Piano Concerto 1990 · Naxos Rhapsody in Blue, Piano Concerto in F, An American in Paris 1990 · IMP Classics Gershwin Bernstein 1991 · Virgin Classics Piano Concerto 1991 · Decca Records Porgy and Bess 1991 · EMI Classics Rediscovered II 1991 · Conifer Records Rhapsody in Blue 1991 · Interdisc
Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris / Concerto in Fa magg. per piano e orchestra 1991 · Live
Rhapsody in Blue / Piano Concerto / Song-Book 1991 · EMI The Gershwins in Hollywood 1991 · Philips An American in Paris / Grand Canyon Suite / Adagio 1992 · RCA Victor Gold Seal Fascinating Rhythms 1992 · Selected Sound Carrier AG George Gershwin Song Book: 20 Instrumentals & Vocals 1992 · Mediaphon Gershwin Collection 1992 · Elap Music Gershwin Overtures 1992 · Musical Heritage Society Porgy & Bess (Highlights) 1992 · Symphony Porgy and Bess 1992 · MCA Classics Rhapsody in Blue, Second Rhapsody & Piano Concerto in F Major 1992 · Chandos The Music of George Gershwin 1992 · Collins Classics Digital George: A Collection of Gershwin Classics 1993 · Musical Heritage Society Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls 1993 · Nonesuch Gershwin, Copland, Schuller, Bloch 1993 · Mercury Records Masters of the Roll: Rare Original Recordings From the Reproducing Piano by the Great masters of Classical Piano 1904 - 1935: A 32 CD Catalogue: Disc 5 1993 · Larrikin Records Orchestral Music (American) - Gershwin, G. / Barber, S. / Bernstein, L. / Copland, A. (American Classics, Vol. 2) 1993 · Capriccio Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris / Concerto in F 1993 · RCA Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris / “Porgy and Bess” Suite (Catfish Row) / Cuban Overture 1993 · Deutsche Grammophon Rhapsody in Blue / Piano Concerto / An American in Paris 1993 · Collins Classics Rhapsody in Blue / Un Americano a Parigi / Concerto in Fa per pianoforte e orchestra 1993 · Concerto Richard Rodney Bennett Plays George Gershwin's Solo Piano Works 1993 · IMP Classics An American in Paris / Rhapsody in Blue / Concerto 1994 · Point Classics An American in Paris / Suite: Catfish Row / Variations on "I Got Rhythm" / Girl Crazy / Strike Up the Band 1994 · Chandos George Gershwin Plays George Gershwin 1994 · Pearl Rhapsody In Blue / An American In Paris / Cuban Overture 1994 · Amadeus Classical Masterpieces: George Gershwin 1995 · Madacy Music Group, Inc. Porgy & Bess Suite 1995 · Channel Classics Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris / Piano Concerto / Porgy and Bess 1995 · Virgin Classics The George Gershwin Song Anthology: Crazy for Gershwin 1995 · Viper's Nest The Piano Rolls, Volume Two 1995 · Nonesuch An American in Paris / Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra 1996 · Black Dot Records George Gershwin 1996 · Jägel GmbH George Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue 1996 · Sony Classical Gershwin Concert 1996 · London Records Gershwin: An American in Paris / A Symphonic Picture of Porgy and Bess / Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite 1996 · Sony Classical Rhapsody in Blue 1996 · Madacy Records Second Rhapsody / Piano Concerto in F / Porgy and Bess: Symphonic Suite 1996 · Virgin Classics Earl Wild Plays Gershwin 1997 · Ivory Classics
For Two Pianos 1997
I Got Rhythm: Wayne Marshall Plays George Gershwin 1997 · Virgin Classics Manhattan Rhapsody 1997 · Opus 111 Piano Concertos 1997 · Erato Rhapsody 1997 · Stereophile Centennial Edition 1998 · Telarc
Concerto In Fa - Seconda Rapsodia - Suite Da "Porgy And Bess" - Variazioni "I Got Rhythm" 1998
George & Ira Gershwin: Standards & Gems 1998 · Nonesuch Gershwin Fantasy 1998 · Sony Classical Gershwin Jazz 1998 · Columbia I Got Rhythm / Concerto in F major / Rhapsody No. 2 / Préludes / Cuban Overture 1998 · Philips Classics Porgy & Bess 1998 · LaserLight Digital Porgy & Bess: 1951 Studio Recording 1998 · Sony Classical Rhapsody in Blue 1998 Rhapsody in Blue 1998 · Delta Music The 100th Birthday Celebration 1998 · RCA Red Seal Gershwin 1999 · TELDEC Gershwin Centennial Edition 1999 · Dinemec Classics Great Scenes from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess 1999 · BMG Classics Kickin’ the Clouds Away: Gershwin at the Piano 2000 · Klavier Gershwin 2001 · Frémeaux & Associés Rhapsody in Blue / Piano Concerto in F / An American in Paris 2001 · Classics for Pleasure An American in Paris / Porgy and Bess Suite / Gershwin in Hollywood 2002 · Naxos Rhapsody for Two 2002 · Pro-Arte Records THe Great Melodies 2002 Gershwin: für zwei Klaviere / for Two Pianos 2003 · Berlin Classics Rhapsody in Blue 2003 · Delta Gershwin For Trumpet (arr. J. Bartos and P. Breiner) 2004 · Naxos Gershwin: American Rhapsody (The Classic Composers - Modern 14) 2004 · International Masters Publishers
Gershwin: An American in Paris / Grainger: Fantasy on George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" 2004 · EMI Classics
Greatest Hits 2004 · Decca Classics Rhapsody in Blue / Concerto en Fa / Porgy and Bess 2004 · Virgin Classics Rhapsody in Blue / Concerto in F / An American in Paris 2004 · RCA Red Seal America for Two 2005 · Classic Produktion Osnabrück An American in Paris / Catfish Row (Suite from "Porgy and Bess") / Promenade / Rhapsody in Blue / Cuban Overture 2005 · Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab George Gershwin: Concerto in F / Maurice Ravel: Concerto in G 2005 · OehmsClassics Musikproduktion GmbH Coleção Folha de música clássica, volume 24: Gershwin, Ravel, Debussy 2006 · Folha de S. Paulo Porgy and Bess 2006 · Decca Records Rhapsody in Blue / Orchesterwerke 2006 · Berlin Classics Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris / Ravel: Piano Concerto for the Left Hand 2007 · OehmsClassics Piano Concerto in F / Rhapsody in Blue / Cuban Overture 2007 · harmonia mundi Ralph Votapek Plays George Gershwin 2007 BBC Music, Volume 16, Number 13: Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F / Ravel: Piano Concerto in G 2008 · BBC Music Magazine Complete Music for Piano & Orchestra 2008 · Bridge Records Gershwin: Porgy and Bess Suite / Rhapsody in Blue / Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition 2008 · Dreamlife Rhapsody in Blue / American in Paris 2008 · RCA Red Seal Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris / Piano Concerto 2008 · UCJ New York Connections 2009 · Quartz Music Ltd Porgy & Bess 2009 · Live · audite Musikproduktion Porgy and Bess 2009 · Sony Classical Rhapsody in Blue / 3 Preludes / Other Piano Works 2009 · Solstice Music Rhapsody in Blue / Piano Concerto in F 2010 · Decca Records Rhapsody in Blue / Piano Concerto in F / Second Rhapsody / "I Got Rhythm" Variations 2010 · Sony Classical George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / Leonard Bernstein: West Side Story 2011 · KML Recordings Songbook / Rhapsody in Blue 2011 · OehmsClassics Concerto in F / Rhapsody no. 2 / I Got Rhythm Variations 2012 · Naxos Gershwin & Me 2012 · ABC Classics Rhapsody in Blue / I Got Rhythm / Piano Concerto in F / Second Rhapsody 2012 · BIS American Piano Concertos 2013 · Chandos Gershwin Take Two 2013 · ABC Classics Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite 2013 · Sony Music Rhapsody in Blue 2013 · Winter & Winter Rhapsody in Blue / Concerto for Piano & Orchestra in F / An American in Paris 2013 · Hallmark Records Rhapsody in Blue / Strike Up the Band Overture / Promenade / Catfish Row 2013 · Naxos Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris / Lullaby / I Got Rhythm Variations / White: Five Miniatures 2014 · KING
Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris 2014 · Analogue Productions
Rhapsody in Blue · An American in Paris 2014 · Analogue Productions
An American In Paris, Concerto in F 2016 · harmonia mundi Rhapsody in Blue / Concerto in F / Variations on "I Got Rhythm" 2016 · Somm Recordings Watts by George! 2016 · Sony Classical Fascinating Rhythm ~ George Gershwin Song Book 2017 · Venus Records Gershwin 2017 · Alpha Classics
Beyond Borders 2018 · Live
Couleurs d'Amerique 2018 · Klarthe Records I Got Rhythm 2018 · La Musica Kennedy Meets Gershwin 2018 · Warner Classics Rhapsody In Blue & Concerto in F 2018 · Myrios Classics Classical Gershwin 2019 · Steinway & Sons Gershwin / Goodyear 2019 · Orchid Classics Gershwin: Concerto in F / Tower: Sequoia / Piston: Symphony no. 5 / Harbison: Remembering Gatsby 2020 · Naxos Spheres 2020 · Prospero Piano Concertos 2021 · Мелодия Rhapsody in Blue / Concerto en fa 2021 · Warner Classics 2 Pianos 2022 · Мелодия Gershwin: Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture / Gould: Spirituals 2023 · Universal Music Australia Orchestral Works 2023 · Vox Phantasy in Blue 2023 · Hyperion Rhapsodic 2023 · Navona Records BBC Music, Volume 32, Number 5: Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / John Adams: Harmonielehre 2024 · BBC Music Magazine Gershwin Rhapsody 2024 · Decca Music Group Limited Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / Second Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra / Cuban Overture / Tower: 1920/2019 / Stucky: Dreamwaltzes 2024 · Naxos Made in USA: Gershwin, Beach, Barber 2024 · Alpha Classics Rhapsody in Black 2026 · Aparté 'S Wonderful (Piano Duets by Ralph Grierson & Artie Kane) · Angel Records American Legends · Stanyan Records American Portraits: Rhapsody in Blue and other Masterpieces · LaserLight Digital An American in Paris / Promenade / Catfish Row (Suite from “Porgy and Bess”) / “I Got Rhythm” Variations · MMG
An American in Paris / Rhapsody in Blue · Society
BBC Concert Orchestra - A Treasury of Gershwin
Concert în Fa pentru pian și orchestră / Rhapsody in Blue · Electrecord
George Gershwin - An American in Paris / Rhapsody in Blue · Yorkshire Records
Gershwin - London Philharmonic Orchestra Gershwin Favourites Gershwin Plays Gershwin Gershwin Rediscovered · Carlton Classics
Gershwin Solo Piano
Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F/Etc. · Deutsche Grammophon Geshwin: Porgy and Bess (A Symphonic Picture) / Gould: Latin‐American Symphonette · Mercury Records New York Philharmonics: Selections Original Works and Transcriptions for Solo Piano Peter Pechersky Plays · Мелодия
Piano Concerto in F, Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris
Porgy and Bess Porgy and Bess (highlights) · Philips Rhapsody in Blue

Also plays on

Albums where George Gershwin is credited as a sideman

1981 An Experiment in Modern Music: Paul Whiteman at Aeolian Hall — Paul Whiteman piano
1991 The Gershwin Connection — Dave Grusin performer

Standards written by George Gershwin

TitleKeyFormGroove
Summertime A minor A · 16 Slow swing
The Man I Love E♭ major AABA · 32 Ballad
Embraceable You G major ABAC · 32 Ballad
Someone To Watch Over Me E♭ major AB · 32 Ballad
But Not For Me E♭ major ABAC · 32 Medium-up swing
They Can't Take That Away From Me E♭ major AABA · 36 Medium swing
I Got Rhythm B♭ major AABA · 32 Up-tempo swing
Oh, Lady Be Good G major AABA · 32 Medium-up swing
A Foggy Day F major ABB · 26 Medium swing
How Long Has This Been Going On? F major AABA · 32 Ballad
S' Wonderful E♭ major AABA · 32 Medium-up swing
Somebody Loves Me F major ABA · 32 Medium swing
Nice Work If You Can Get It G major AABA · 34 Medium swing
Liza E♭ major AABA · 32 Medium swing
It Ain't Necessarily So G minor AABA · 32 Medium swing
Love Walked In E♭ major ABAC · 32 Medium swing
Fascinating Rhythm F major ABB · 48 Medium-up swing
I Loves You Porgy F major AABA · 34 Ballad
Strike Up The Band E♭ major ABCD · 32 Up-tempo swing
Our Love is Here to Stay F major ABAC · 32 Medium swing
My Man's Gone Now E minor AAB · 33 Jazz waltz
Who Cares C major AB · 32 Medium swing
I've Got A Crush On You B♭ major AB · 18 Ballad
Soon E♭ major BACA · 32 Medium swing
They All Laughed G major ABCC · 32 Medium swing
Let's Call The Whole Thing Off G major AABA · 34 Medium swing
I Was Doing All Right G major AABA · 34 Medium swing
Isn't It A Pity C major AABA · 32 Ballad
Bess You Is My Woman B♭ major ABBC · 46 Ballad
Bidin' My Time E♭ major ABA · 24 Medium swing
For You, For Me, For Evermore E♭ major AB · 32 Slow swing

Awards

Historic 78 rpm records

  • Piano Interludes Irving Berlin · Ira & George Gershwin · Schwartz · Hammerstein 2nd ·… archive.org ↗
  • LADY, BE GOOD COLEMAN HAWKINS · Stanley Black · Albert Harris · Tiny Winters ·… · 1935 archive.org ↗
  • I Got Rhythm Casper Reardon and His Orchestra · George Gershwin · 1940 archive.org ↗
  • I GOT RHYTHM CASPER REARDON AND HIS ORCHESTRA · George Gershwin · 1940 archive.org ↗
  • I GOT RHYTHM RED NORVO'S ALL STAR SEPTET · TEDDY WILSON · Red Norvo · Teddy… · 1944 archive.org ↗
  • New Variations on I Got Rhythm Bud Freeman and His Orchestra · Sgt. Ray McKinley · George Gershwin · 1945 archive.org ↗
  • SUMMERTIME BOYD RAEBURN and his ORCHESTRA · Johnny Bothwell · George Gershwin · 1946 archive.org ↗
  • I LOVES YOU, PORGY Phil Moore Four · Ira Gershwin · George Gershwin · 1946 archive.org ↗

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did George Gershwin play?

George Gershwin is known for playing piano.

When and where was George Gershwin born?

George Gershwin was born 26 September 1898 in Brooklyn.

What are George Gershwin's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (1956), The George Gershwin Story (1959), Concerto in F Major & Rhapsody in Blue (1960), Porgy And Bess (1962) and Rhapsody In Blue / An American In Paris / Concerto In F (1966).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.