Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1220793 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-01
• Format: Bargain Price
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-5–The creation of Gershwin's 1924 masterpiece is the subject of this picture book. The story, rendered in watercolor-and-ink caricatures, opens in the legendary pool hall where George's brother Ira discovers a newspaper announcement for a concert at which his sibling's new jazz concerto is to be featured–only it hasn't been written yet. After the disbelief subsides and the conductor who placed the ad is confronted, the musical genius embarks on a journey in which doubt, inspiration, and frustration overlay frenzied periods of intense work. Celenza's tale, complete with invented dialogue, brings the composer to life. The text incorporates musical ideas to discover the klezmer howl of the opening clarinet, the blues, and the love song for New York in the main theme. An author's note contains Gershwin's words describing the rhythm of the train ride that freed his mental block, providing ideas for content, style, and direction. Kitchel's sensitivity to this source material is especially evident in her spread of multifaceted patterns and images, presented as cameos against a black background; they relate to the composer's concept of a musical kaleidoscope of America. An accompanying CD features Gershwin himself (courtesy of a piano roll). Pair this with Robert Burleigh's Langston's Train Ride (Scholastic, 2004) to compare how a trip on an iron horse affected another American artist from the same period.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue is one of the most American of all musical pieces, incorporating rhythms and sounds that mirror New York City in the mid-1920s. In straightforward prose and sturdy art, this book relates its story. Gershwin didn't remember agreeing to participate in bandleader Paul Whitman's musical extravaganza "An Experiment in Modern Music," which was only weeks away. But at Whitman's urging, he decides to compose a concerto--then regrets it when the writing becomes a struggle. While on a train, however, the sounds he hears help him focus his thoughts, and he imagines the rhapsody from beginning to end, later calling it "a musical kaleidoscope of America." Along with the story, this provides a CD--an addition that enriches the book. On its own, the story may not interest children, but once they hear the stimulating music, the history of its origins will take on meaning. A great way to introduce a classic to a new generation. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
Author: Anna Harwell Celenza

Anna grew up on a farm in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina. She played the cello in the Greensboro Youth Orchestra and the drums in her high school marching band and jazz band. Music and the arts have always been an important part of her life. Anna's expertise in art and music history, combined with her passion for music and her love of literature, led her to write The Farewell Symphony, her first children's book. She realized that there were few books that introduce children to specific works of classical music. Children are exposed to classical music everyday in commercials and cartoons and even in pop music, but they are not exposed to the stories and the history behind these compositions. In her workshops and children's classes, and now in her books, Anna ensures that children come away with an appreciation, even a love, of classical music. Anna lives in Baltimore,Maryland.

Illustrator: JoAnn E. Kitchel

JoAnn Kitchel is a professional illustrator who received her B.A. in art education from Central Michigan University. Immediately following her graduation, JoAnn moved to the West Indies where she taught art as a Peace Corps volunteer for nearly four years. The West Indian culture and landscape played an invaluable role in the development of JoAnn's artistic style.

JoAnn's children's books include Raven's Gift (Richard C. Owen Publishers, Inc.), The Heart of a Friendship (Pelican Publishers), Talk! Talk! Talk! (Celebration Press), and the award-winning Tales of the Shimmering Sky (Williamson Publishing Company).

JoAnn currently lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Chris, daughter, Lily, and their two cats.

Customer Reviews

Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue
Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe arrived in the United States as learners of American culture and within a generation became its creators. In print, on stage and screen, on radio and in the world of music, their children created now iconic works which consciously or unconsciously melded their Jewish roots and American experiences. A prime example is George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, a work that contains elements of Jewish, ragtime and blues music. The concerto is a living example of how a "melting pot society" led to the development of a uniquely American art form.

Through invented dialogue, the author reconstructs Gershwin's thought processes as he begins to envision the music and then creates the work. The only mention of Gershwin's Jewish heritage are references to klezmer music - e.g. "the klezmer band at Ira's bar mitzvah" - but the term is not defined. The terms "ragtime" or "blues" are also not explained. In life, Gershwin was very much influenced not only by the Jewish music of his youth but also by his exposure to African American music.

The book offers a very well written and illustrated glimpse into the creative process of a musical genius and could serve to open further discussion with young readers on the contributions of Jews to American music.

A CD of Rhapsody in Blue (from an original piano roll played by Gershwin himself) accompanies the book. For ages 8-10. Reviewed by Norman H. Finkelstein

A 2007 Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book for Younger Readers
A fictionalized account of the creation of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" details how the composer was pressured to create a new concerto in just a few weeks, how he was inspired by the rhythm of a train ride, the klezmer band at his brother's Bar Mitzvah, the harmonies of nightclub dance music, ragtime, and the blues, and the enthusiastic reception the piece received at it's first performance. Kitchel's illustrations authentically depict the spirit of the roaring twenties, an author's note gives readers additional information, and the included CD recording provides added value.

Great Book!
This is a great book. It comes with a CD which is wonderful. I am very pleased to have it. I teach elementary music and it is great for my library in my classroom.