George Gershwin – The Tragic End of a Musical Prodigy | Biographical Documentary
George Gershwin – The Tragic End of a Musical Prodigy | Biographical Documentary
One of the best loved composers and songwriters of all time, George Gershwin had no interest in music as a boy. But when he was 10 his parents bought a piano for his older brother, and to everyone’s surprise, he was able to pick out tunes he had learned by following the keys on a neighbour’s pianola.
He dropped out of school at 15 to work…
source
Reviews
0 %
Instead of listening to 41 minutes of this video – just look at Wikipedia – George Gershwin died of a brain tumour aged 39. 🤫🤫
As someone who is somewhat creative, I must agree with Professor Yorsoton "Booze kills the muse". I am speaking for myself.
The smell of rubber was probably the condom
The man was gay and he couldn’t come out into the wardrobe
Ask yourself, why did he die?
Great composer biggest problem was that he was a shit leafer
He was one of the great musical geniuses and composers of all time, certainly within the general framework of Western (including African/Afro-American-influenced) music. Massive, brilliant talent and endless, unstoppable creativity.
No one ever explains why the Russians got fed up with the Jews. Why? What did the Jews do wrong? Is it the same old, rip the Gentiles off of their life savings, as Alex Mashinsky, a Ukrainian Jew, did to me? I had trusted Alex Mashinsky, the Ukrainian Jew. The same old banking financial users practices every one hates, is that what did it? Explain, please.
Ah, critics. The proverbial eunuchs in the Harem. BTW why try to big George up as rampant heterosexual? Oh, puh-leeze! Subscribed and unsubscribed within the length of a vid. A record. 🤭
According to Mitch Miller, who toured with Gershwin in 1935, when the two of them were leaving a hall following an afternoon rehearsal, Gershwin exclaimed, "Somebody is burning tires near here!" and pinched his nose with his fingers. Miller said nothing–and had smelled nothing but fresh air.
An additional remark: Duke Ellington–a great jazz musician dislike the movie biography of Gershwin. He said it showed Gershwin being rude to people: "I knew George Gershwin, and I never saw him be rude to anyone" (MUSIC IS MY MISTRESS by Duke Ellington). That a pretty good epitaph for anyone.
Thanks for running the biography of George Gershwin. I am a long time fan, and have been in orchestras playing his music. I think he was one of the greatest American composers of all time.
Makes sense he was a Libra ♎️ they are ruled by Venus planet of LOVE
Gershwin wasn't the only great musician to die young. Composers W.A. Mozart and Franz Schubert passed away while still ypung, and legendary soprano Patricia Janeckova died of cancer while still in her thirties.
I so enjoy your videos- thank you so much. Gershwin has been an inspiration to me as a pianist, a singer, and the whole reason I took up clarinet in school. I never knew about his life and love him now all the more.
Brilliant as usual. I did keep thinking “brain tumour” as I watched, as my husband had a GBM. It’s a pity they didn’t keep tissue samples back then for future reference or study as they do now.
Interesting and just the facts.
That was an excellent documentary!
Wonderfully presented. Thanks. Tragic that George was "written off" as having psychosomatic and conversion problems. The ignorance of the brain at that time. Yes, you are so correct. Alcohol IMPAIRS creatively and other cognitive functions. The artists mentioned would have been even more productive had yhey not suffered alcoholism.
I can imagine the size of a grapefruit, was it really that size. What a shame.
Thank you for these greatly helpful videos.
Excellent presentation. George Gershwin would be delighted to know that his music is still loved by so many. I love playing jazz piano myself and also compose a few tunes. The Gershwin songs I enjoy playing include Summertime, Lady Be Good,
Nice Work If You Can Get It, A Foggy Day, Fascinating Rhythm, They Can't Take That Away From Me, Strike Up The Band, I Was Doing Alright, The Man I Love, I Got Rhythm and Our Love Is Here To Stay. I think he really captured the spirit of bustling, optimistic mid-20th century America. I wonder if the type of brain tumour he had would be survivable today ? Presumably it would be if detected early enough.
thank you for an excellent video.
Absolutely fascinating
Thank you I do so much enjoy your videos ,and in particular the soft tone of your vioce ,it alows one to appreciate the actual content .With regards to your closing comments , as a recovering Alcoholic on the whole I agee with you , however when alcohol is part of the world you inhabit and 60 years ago one drank, as did ones contemporaries it gave you confidence and made one loose ones inhabitions and thus be creative .The problem is it can also makes one judgment impaired so that enough is never enough.and creativitiy that it produces is a faux amis .and not true creativity .
Fantastic!!! Thank you for this!!
It was neither classical nor Jazz but merely the pop music of the day so in a way the critic was right.
Professor,
Please do a video linking P.G Wodehouse to the Gershwin brothers?
I am an avid fan of Wodehouse and the G brothers and the former talks about the latter in his autobiography Wodehouse on Wodehouse.
Or else just do a video on Wodehouse himself.
He will certainly be worth your while…but you examine people with “issues” I guess 😢 and I don’t think Wodehouse HAD any issues except an incurable sense of humor, which isn’t/wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea…but those like me, who do/did connect to his ironic humor…we find he absolutely saves the end of even the worst humdinger of a day…
Thank you for you’re videos!! They are so unique, charming, and thoroughly researched. 🙏🙏🙏
Raya
It is likely George Gershwin had syphilis. Sexually transmitted diseases were rampant in the era of which he was living in New York City. A brain tumor would have been difficult to diagnose at best. Imaging barely existed, and brain surgery was at best in its infancy. Removal of a brain tumor, if even attempted in the 1930s would have likely killed the patient or have little benefit. Many of these "famous" doctors of the era were little more than opportunistic charletans. This is my take anyway.
Thank you, Graeme and Tom Yorston for this gift, of a thoroughly engaging presentation of the stunning talent that George Gershwin was and forever will be. Such a terrible loss. (I’d like to back in time and punch Ira’s wife.) His music never fails to stir euphoric pleasure mingled with sorrow.
How about mozart. There should bbe enough "daddy issues" and over the top behaviour, to creat, at lest moderate leanth video i warrent lol
I remember my parents' 78's. And there was one album cover with a woman wrapped in whipped cream. I was a classically trained pianist from 6 through 15. Wish I didn't stop. Enjoyed this vid. I played some of his music. Hello from sunny and warm St. Petersburg, Florida 🌴.
Very informative and enjoyable – thank you!
See I told you I was sick