The Controversy
There has been a longstanding debate among music historians and enthusiasts about whether George Gershwin, the famous American composer and pianist, actually orchestrated his piece “American in Paris” or if it was orchestrated by someone else.
For those unfamiliar with the piece, “American in Paris” is a musical composition that was inspired by Gershwin’s travels to Paris in the 1920s. It was first performed by the New York Philharmonic in 1928 and has since become one of Gershwin’s most popular works.
Gershwin’s Own Words
While there is evidence to suggest that Gershwin did not fully orchestrate “American in Paris” himself, he did take credit for it during his lifetime. In fact, he once wrote to his friend, conductor André Kostelanetz:
“I am sure you will be interested to know that I have just finished orchestrating my ‘American in Paris’ and I think it turned out amazingly well.”
This letter seems to suggest that Gershwin did indeed orchestrate the piece himself. However, there are other indications that this may not be entirely true.
Evidence Against Gershwin’s Orchestration
One reason why some people believe that Gershwin did not orchestrate “American in Paris” himself is because he was known for being more of a pianist than an orchestrator. In fact, he had little formal training in orchestration and often relied on others to help him with this aspect of his music.
In addition, some music historians have pointed out that the orchestration style used in “American in Paris” is quite different from the style Gershwin typically used in his other works. This has led some to speculate that he may have had help from others in creating the orchestration for this piece.
The Truth
So, what is the truth about who orchestrated “American in Paris” Unfortunately, we may never know for sure. While Gershwin did take credit for it during his lifetime, there is evidence to suggest that he may have had help from others.
One theory is that Gershwin collaborated with Ferde Grofé, a well-known orchestrator who worked with other famous composers of the time. Grofé himself claimed to have helped Gershwin with the orchestration of “American in Paris,” although some have disputed this claim.
Conclusion
In the end, it seems that the question of whether Gershwin orchestrated “American in Paris” himself will remain shrouded in mystery. Regardless of who was responsible for the orchestration, there is no denying that it is a beautiful and iconic piece of music that has stood the test of time.