University of Michigan embraces George and Ira Gershwin creative works

Novella Theatre

Leanne Jenkins-----"I am so thrilled that the works of George and Ira Gershwin are going to receive the scholarly attention they so richly deserve," said Michael Strunsky. He is the nephew of Ira Gershwin and trustee of the Ira and Leonore Gershwin Trusts, which owns and manages Ira's copyrights.

According to University of Michigan reports, its School of Music, Theater and Dance has a new partnership the the Gershwin estates to provide the student sof music from the University access to the Gershwin's papers and music composition drafts as well as original scores of their music.

This will allow new scores and parts to be developed for Gershwin compositions. It is to be a real scholarly effort known as the Gershwin Initiative, and it will student performances of Gershwin's music.

A treasure of works is found in the Gershwin repository, with America's greatest opera, “Porgy and Bess,” among them.

"The U-M Gershwin Initiative exemplifies how the arts thrive within a great research institution," U-M President Mary Sue Coleman said, acknowledging the opportunity afforded by the Gershwin initiative. "With this project, the University of Michigan celebrates and protects the brilliant contributions of two of America's most legendary artists, while elevating arts scholarship and performance opportunities for faculty and students in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance."

The project will allow conductors, musicians, performers, scholars and audiences greater insight into the Gershwins' original manuscripts. It also offers a glimpse into the performance materials to examine the vision of the creator's of some famous works.

"Porgy and Bess," of course, is the Gershwin most famous. Other works include: "Rhapsody in Blue," "An American in Paris," "Concerto in F" and "Cuban Overture," along with scores the brothers wrote together for more than two dozen Broadway and Hollywood musicals. The result is some of the most recognizable and beloved songs in American music history. Some of these other songs include "I Got Rhythm," "'S Wonderful," "Embraceable You," "Funny Face," "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and "Love is Here to Stay," and others