George later studied composition with Rubin Goldmark and modernist Henry Cowell. George took immediately to the piano bought originally for Ira and studied piano with Charles Hambitzer. Petersburg, had joined the American melting pot seeking better opportunity. Ira Gershwin was born as Israel Gershowitz on the Lower East Side of New York City, and George Gershwin was born Jacob Gershwine in Brooklyn, New York. Adept at implementing new lyrical styles, playing with timing and incorporating unusual word combinations, he was the first lyricist to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize (in 1932 for Of Thee I Sing ). Ira Gershwin is celebrated for his genius with words, crafting hundreds of lyrics that are clever, funny, moving-or all of the above. George Gershwin created some of music historyвЂ™s most cherished melodies, not only in song, but also in works for orchestra, such as the jazz-inspired Rhapsody in Blue, and in what is arguably the most significant American opera, Porgy and Bess (with lyrics co-written by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, on whose book the opera is based). Together they have long been honored as two of the leading contributors to the вЂњGreat American Songbook.вЂќ He worked with the early 20th centuryвЂ™s top lyricists, though his most brilliant collaborations were with his brother Ira Gershwin (1896вЂ“1983), with whom he enjoyed a unique and prolific partnership. In his too brief but prolific career, George Gershwin composed a long list of popular songs, many written for Broadway and for Hollywood films. George Gershwin (1898вЂ“1937) is one of the worldвЂ™s most popular and successful composers of the 20th century in any genre-a status that is both compliment and curse.

Music Division of the United States Library of CongressД®ditorial Board Member, George and Ira Gershwin Critical Edition вЂњI canвЂ™t think of a more vital and beloved American composer in need of authoritative and sympathetic performing editions than George Gershwin.В His music IS American music.вЂќ

Popular songs 1918