Gershwin

George Gershwin
George Gershwin in 1937
Born	Jacob Gershwine (1898-09-26)September 26, 1898 New York City
Died	July 11, 1937(1937-07-11) (aged 38) Los Angeles
Cause of death	Brain tumor
Resting place	Westchester Hills Cemetery
Occupation	Musical composer, pianist
Years active	1916–37
Parent(s)	Moishe Gershowitz Roza Bruskina
Relatives	Ira Gershwin Arthur Gershwin Frances Gershwin

George Jacob Gershwin (/ˈɡɜːrʃ.wɪn/; September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known. Among his best-known works are the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American in Paris (1928) as well as the opera Porgy and Bess (1935).

Gershwin studied piano under Charles Hambitzer and composition with Rubin Goldmark, Henry Cowell and Joseph Brody. He began his career as a song plugger, but soon started composing Broadway theatre works with his brother Ira Gershwin, and Buddy DeSylva. He moved to Paris intending to study with Nadia Boulanger, who refused him, where he began to compose An American in Paris. After returning to New York City, he wrote Porgy and Bess with Ira and the author DuBose Heyward. Initially a commercial failure, Porgy and Bess is now considered one of the most important American operas of the twentieth century.

Gershwin moved to Hollywood and composed numerous film scores until his death in 1937 from a malignant brain tumor – glioblastoma multiforme.