Rhapsody In Blue: | Gershwin

: The iconic opening clarinet wail was not originally in the score. During rehearsals, clarinetist Ross Gorman played the opening scale with a humorous, sliding glissando. Gershwin loved it so much he asked Gorman to keep it as a permanent "ice-breaker" for the piece.

: The lush, slow middle theme (famously used for years in United Airlines commercials). Impact and Controversy Rhapsody In Blue: Gershwin

'Rhapsody in Blue,' Gershwin's musical melting pot, at 100 : NPR : The iconic opening clarinet wail was not

The work is characterized by five primary musical themes that repeat and expand in a call-and-response style: : The main opening theme. : The lush, slow middle theme (famously used

: Due to time constraints—Gershwin composed the concerto in just five weeks—the orchestration was handled by Whiteman’s arranger, Ferde Grofé . Grofé created multiple versions over the years, including the original jazz band scoring (1924) and the more common full symphonic version (1942). Musical Structure and Themes

Gershwin was initially reluctant to take on the challenge, reportedly only starting work after reading a news report that Whiteman was already planning the performance.