Meet the Musicians: Gershwin DVD

In the early part of the 20th century, America absorbed and blended musical tractions from around the world. On the streets of New York City one could hear arias from Italian operas, Klezmer music from the Eastern European Jews, Irish jig rhythms, and ragtime, jazz and blues from African-Americans. Street musicians played melodies from Beethoven and Brahms and the show tunes of Broadway and vaudeville were whistled, hummed and sung by one and all. Out of this musical melting pot came a street-wise kid named George Gershwin. He is best known for his popular music written for plays and movies and engaging concert hall pieces, especially his Rhapsody in Blue. His music perfectly captured the optimism and can-do spirit of the roaring twenties. Today, many decades after his death, Gershwin's music is known throughout the world as quintessentially American.