Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue W /CD [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Anna Harwell Celenza (Author), Joann E. Kitchel (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

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. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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 --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570915563
• ASIN: B00120XDRY
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,151,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anna Harwell Celenza is the Thomas E. Caestecker Professor of Music at Georgetown University. She is the author of several scholarly books - the most recent being Hans Christian Andersen and Music: The Nightingale Revealed (2005).
In addition to her scholarly work, she has authored a series of award-winning children's books with Charlesbridge Publishing: The Farewell Symphony (2000), Pictures at an Exhibition (2003), The Heroic Symphony (2004), Bach's Goldberg Variations (2005), Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (2006) and Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite (2011). Her work has been featured on nationally syndicated radio and TV programs, including NPR's "Performance Today," the BBC's "Music Matters" and "Proms Broadcasts," and C-Span's "Book-TV".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, October 12, 2006

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Jewish Book World Magazine (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (Hardcover)

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

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 2007 Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book for Younger Readers, January 27, 2007

By 

Rachel Kamin "Chair, Sydney Taylor Book Award... (West Bloomfield, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (Hardcover)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, February 16, 2009

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V. Treadway "Music Teacher" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (Hardcover)

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.