Rhapsody in Blue

« Performing the Rhapsody in Blue was maybe one of the most difficult and amazing things I have ever done. Being a full orchestral work, this arrangement was extremely challenging in order to keep that powerful sound and harmony on the marimba. Having first performed the version for solo piano and orchestra, I strongly believed the full piece would work. I am very happy to publish it and make this masterpiece available for all percussion players. » (Adélaïde Ferrière)

George Gershwin (born Jacob Bruskin Gershowitz, September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist whose compositions spanned both popular and classical genres. Among his best-known works are the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American in Paris (1928), the songs Swanee (1919) and Fascinating Rhythm (1924), the jazz standard I Got Rhythm (1930), and the opera Porgy and Bess (1935) which spawned the hit Summertime.