Work of the Week – George Gershwin: Porgy and Bess, A Symphonic Picture

George Gershwin is a popular name on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day programs. Excerpts from his stage works are often played, such as Porgy and Bess, A Symphonic Picture. These days, for example, it can be heard in France in concerts by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg with conductor Wayne Marshall and in Denmark with Copenhagen Phil under the direction of Joel Sandelson. 

In addition to numerous Broadway musicals and shows, Gershwin composed a single opera, Porgy and Bess. It is considered the first American opera and many melodies, such as Summertime, became popular hits. Porgy and Bess, A Symphonic Picture is a purely orchestral journey through the stage work and captures the most prominent scenes in 24 minutes. This suite from 1943 was written by composer Robert Russell Bennett, who was very familiar with Gershwin and his music.

Porgy and Bess, A Symphonic Picture captures the greatest moments from George Gershwin's opera

In addition to Bennett's Porgy and Bess, A Symphonic Picture, there are a number of other versions for orchestral concerts. The 40-minute Porgy and Bess, A Concert of Songs features vocal parts, Bennett created a more compact suite in 1961, namely the 16-minute Porgy and Bess, Selection for orchestra and the arranger Felton Rapley was even shorter at 8 minutes with Porgy and Bess, Orchestral selection. Alexander Courage takes a completely different approach in his Fantasy on Porgy and Bess for violin and orchestra.

Life is a lot like jazz... it's best when you improvise. (George Gershwin)

There will be over 150 performances of Gershwin's works with performance material from Schott around the New Year in 20 countries from Japan to the USA.You can browse through our online calendar to your heart's content. Have a great 2024!

Links:

George Gershwin: Composer Profile 

Porgy and Bess, A Symphonic Picture: Work Details and Online Score 

Copenhagen Phil Website 

Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg Website 

photo: Gershwin at Philharmonic Auditorium Los Angeles, 1937. Photo by Paul Mueller, enhanced through artificial intelligence.