Listening (Gershwin (Rhapsody in Blue, Porgy and Bess)

This composition by George Gershwin was my favorite piece to date that we have studied. I thought that its combination of piano solo, jazz, and orchestra was extremely effective and captivating. The main lick of the piece is repeated several times, however each time it is performed on a different instrument with a unique style. My favorite was when the solo trumpet had the line, and he played it with a harmon mute and wah effect. This effect was very interesting because the sound a harmon mute produces is very jazzy and intrusive. Additionally, I really liked the loud sounds of the brass with the backing of strings. Overall, a wonderful piece that I can say is one of my most influential songs of the 20th century.