Wow, It’s Gershwin!

 

Live performance; its passion and vulnerability. The Big City assault in Rhapsody in Blue. Hands become playful hammers.

Rhapsody in Blue

What does it take to

Imagine a newcomer

Off the boat

And encountering NYC.

Its crazy noise

And crowding.

Its juxtaposition

Of purposes, thrills and panic.

George somehow captured

It all on keyboard.

Where was he positioned?

Alone or 

Squeezed with others.

Did he have to execute

Big chunks of it

Before the sheet music.

How could it be broken down?

Like some butterfly

Pinned to a soft board

Of Blue.

When it was intended

Eternally to fly.

Did Brother Ira

Sit in awe

Near its birthing.

No lyrics

Just suggestive explosion.

With joy at the front of the line.

Whites and blacks

Fitfully at play.

Love does not forget a note.

Does not fail in stamina.

From entrance of one happy

Jewish clarinet.

Onward.