Gershwin's Rhapsody

"Gershwin's Rhapsody" is the fifth from my "Music as Paintings" series.

2024 was the centennial of George Gershwin's “Rhapsody in Blue.”

While it's an iconic American piece of music, it's truly an iconic New York work, representative of the city in 1924. Going out to a restaurant or club to listen to jazz was a great way to both unwind and revive. Why not bring the excitement and personality into the concert hall as well? Gershwin was traveling back to NYC on the train (still the best way to get around) when he composed this work. I tried to represent the personality of the music. I wanted to highlight how each instrument has its own moment. I wanted to depict the flowing energy of blues and jazz that give the music its personality. New York City was growing and building projects were everywhere. And while some of the landmarks in the painting were still on the horizon, the energy and excitement that created them was reverberating in the city and felt in the music. Choosing to depict the music as a monochromatic work also highlights the quieter soothing portions of the music. Listening to this music while living in NYC felt like coming home to me.