Cavalcade Of Music Music Of George Gershwin

Originally Aired: July 14, 1937 In Cavalcade of America #91, "Cavalcade Of Music Music Of George Gershwin," the program abruptly changes its scheduled lineup to honor the beloved composer who has just passed away. Originally planning to feature Richard Rogers' music, the show instead becomes a special tribute to George Gershwin, who died on July 12th at the young age of 38. Don Boris and the DuPont Cavalcade Orchestra, joined by guest soloist Conrad Thibault, trace Gershwin's remarkable journey from a teenage piano plugger earning fifteen dollars a week to America's leading interpreter of jazz. The program celebrates Gershwin's evolution as a composer, highlighting his breakthrough with Rhapsody in Blue at Aeolian Hall in 1923 and his numerous theatrical triumphs. From early hits like "Swanee" performed by Al Jolson to sophisticated works like the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Of Thee I Sing," the episode showcases Gershwin's unique ability to elevate popular music while capturing the rhythms and heartbeat of American life. The tribute emphasizes how this shy yet brilliant composer transformed the sounds of New York's East Side and Broadway into timeless melodies that the nation will never forget.