Today in History: George Gershwin & Gullah Culture
Today in History–September 2–the Library of Congress features George Gershwin, who completed the orchestral score of the opera—Porgy and Bess—based on the DuBose Heyward novel on this date in 1935. The opera, like the novel, depicted the African-American Gullah culture of South Carolina. Learn more about this remarkable man and his collaborators on the internationally known opera by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links below.
Porgy and Bess
Porgy and Bess: American Treasure online exhibition item
Porgy and Bess condensed score
Porgy, a play curator video note
George Gershwin: A Sketch for Porgy and Bess
Scene from “Porgy and Bess,” 1935-1936 Theater Guild production
Porgy and Bess historical newspaper coverage
Leontyne Price of Porgy and Bess portraits
George Gershwin
Rhapsody in Blue song recording
I Got Rhythm: Concert for the Canadian War Effort May 16, 1941 audio recording
I Got Rhythm: Sing with the stars 1945 film recording (6:46) with bouncing sing-along lyrics
Gershwin: Prelude – E flat minor
Music of George Gershwin album cover and notes 1955
Letter from Ira Gershwin to Andre Kostelanetz April 24, 1969
George Gershwin historical newspaper coverage
Rhapsody in Blue historical newspaper coverage
H.J.Res.251 – A joint resolution to provide that a special gold medal honoring George Gershwin 07/25/1985
Library articles and blog posts about George Gershwin
- American Composers and Musicians from A to Z: G (Part 1 – Gershwin, George) NLS Music Notes
- Of Thee We Sing! Happy 112th, George! In the Muse
- Fascinating Rhythm: George Gershwin, piano (1926)
- The Gershwin Legacy: Library Celebrates Contributions of George and Ira Library of Congress Information Bulletin September 1998
- Here to Stay: George Gershwin at 120 In the Muse
- Gershwin: The Prize and The Legacy Library of Congress Information Bulletin April 2009
- The Gershwin Prize: Celebrating Song as a Vehicle of Musical Expression and Cultural Understanding Teaching with the Library
- Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” Performing Arts Encyclopedia
- Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” – “Wait for Nod” Stories from the Library of Congress
- Nice Work If You Can Get It: George Gershwin and Jerome Kern In the Muse
Gullah Culture
Gullah/Geechee History and Culture research guide
Gullah/Geechee Collections at the American Folklife Center
The Black Border; Gullah Stories of the Carolina Coast 1922
A map of South Carolina and a part of Georgia. Containing the whole sea-coast
Gullah historical newspaper coverage
Gullah stories & personal narratives
Bill Tatnall, sitting with guitar, Frederica, Georgia
McIntosh County Shouters: Gullah-Geechee Ring Shout from Georgia event recording
Growing Up Gullah event recording
Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act H.R.4683, 2003-2004
Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act H.R.694, 2005-2006