This month, we celebrate Valentine’s Day and a few of the compositions we love, including Rhapsody in Blue, the Appassionata Sonata, and Sketches of a Life.
February 12, 1924: The Premiere of Rhapsody in Blue
On February 12, 1924, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue premiered in Aeolian Hall in New York City, with Gershwin himself on the keys. Rhapsody in Blue, a substantial work for solo piano and a special orchestral combination that included saxophones, was received with aplomb, and continues to be loved by pianists and music-lovers alike.
Interested in teaching Gershwin’s repertoire in your studio? Check out this helpful article on Blue Lullaby, an approachable piece perfect for students who love Gershwin’s signature sound.
February 18, 1807: The Publication of Beethoven’s Appassionata
Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, now affectionately known as the “Appassionata,” was published by the Bureau des arts et d’industrie in Vienna in 1807. Dedicated to Count Franz Brunswick, Beethoven’s friend and a capable cellist, the Appassionata is a tumultuous and technically demanding sonata.
This sonata showcases Beethoven’s varied writing as he pushed the Classical-era barriers of harmony and form. The first movement opens with eerie arpeggios, changing direction and exploding into trills. The second movement contrasts with a sweet, chorale texture, while the third and final movement spins in constant motion through divergent harmonies.
Want to learn more about Beethoven’s sonatas and sonatinas? Check out our microcourse titled Classical Sonatinas and Sonatas at the Piano. Plus, be sure to subscribe to PianoInspires for the latest innovative and dynamic content from the piano community.
February 25, 2009: Stevie Wonder Received the Gershwin Prize
Beloved pianist and singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder had a monumental influence on the music of the late 1900s and early 2000s. Throughout his career he was awarded 25 Grammys, an Academy Award, and the prestigious Library of Congress Gershwin Prize.
The Gershwin Prize is named after George and Ira Gershwin for their immense impact on popular music. Awarded to Stevie Wonder in 2009 at a special White House ceremony (although originally announced earlier in 2008), the award recognizes Stevie’s indelible mark on popular music.
OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
- PIANO MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Gershwin’s Blue Lullaby by Tony Caramia
- PIANO MAGAZINE ARTICLE: What Important Elements of Jazz Are Appropriate for Early-Level Students? by Martha Appleby
- PIANO MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Recording Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas in the 21st Century: An Interview with Steinway Pianist James Brawn by Andrew Schartmann
- REPERTOIRE VIDEO: Demystifying Tempo: Beethoven’s Slow Movements by Carol Leone
- REPERTOIRE VIDEO: Beethoven: Sonatina in G Major by Suzanne Newcomb
- DISCOVERY POST: This Week in Piano History: Premiere of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F by Curtis Pavey
- Use our search feature to discover more!
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