Volume 163: 100 Years of Rhapsody

One hundred years ago tomorrow, February 12, 1924, in Aeolian Hall, New York City, Paul Whiteman’s band played the first public performance of Rhapsody in Blue with composer Gorge Gershwin playing the piano. It was orchestrated by Whiteman’s arranger Ferdie Grofé.

This album is one of at least three versions my dad owned of the famous song. He has a 1939 version from Whiteman that was released on 12 inch 78 RPM discs from the Decca record label. The Rhapsody is broken down into two sides. There’s Gershwin’s solo piano first recorded on piano roll, then transferred to the LP format in 1958. Then there’s the one you are about to hear, which was recorded in 1958 to celebrate Whiteman’s fifty years in music.

So, get ready to hear an iconic American tune that is celebrating a century of popularity in Volume 163: 100 Years of Rhapsody.

Video Intro

Listen here or on my PodBean Podcast Episode page:

You can check out the video version here or on YouTube:

Credits and Copyrights:

See information from the Discogs.com page here

Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra – Rhapsody In Blue
Label: Grand Award – G.A. 33-502
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Mono
Released: 1958
Genre: Jazz
Style: Big Band

You will hear 4 of the 6 songs from this record.

When Day Is Done
Written by Buddy DeSylva

Limehouse Blues
Music by Philip Braham

Autumn Leaves
Music by Joseph Kosma

Rhapsody In Blue
Composed by George Gerswhin

I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.