The George and Ira Gershwin Critical Edition

The George and Ira Gershwin Critical Edition is the first-ever scholarly edition of George and Ira Gershwin's music and lyrics, providing greater insight into their original material. It includes famous works like "Porgy and Bess," "Rhapsody in Blue," "An American in Paris," and more. Unlike standard editions, the critical edition explains the choices made in its creation through essays and explanatory notes, inviting users to understand the authors' artistry more deeply. The Gershwins' music, with its blend of classical, jazz, blues, and popular song, requires careful editing due to different conventions of musical notation. Current published editions contain errors and inconsistencies, making the critical edition essential to accurately represent the creators' vision. “Traditional musical scores are highly precise and prescriptive. Yet as a composer, George Gershwin sometimes presents a framework that gave performers room for invention. To determine the exact notation for his work always requires detailed research, as well as musically sensitive interpretation.” — Mark Clague, editor-in-chief of the George and Ira Gershwin Critical Edition