My poor co-workers have to put up with me singing in the office all the time. When I'm not driving them crazy with Christmas songs, I am humming along as I work on our 2006 season calendar. Believe me, I am no singer (unless you count how I like to pretend in the shower or car). No matter what I do, though, I keep going back to this particular piece.
I am sure you've seen the United commercials using this song. Are you humming it now too? The song is George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."
This summer the Ravinia Festival Women's Board Gala will recreate the night that Gershwin played in the park. I've heard stories about how there were people literally hanging from the trees to get a glimpse of this legendary composer and songwriter. So every time I go past that calendar square, the song keeps playing in my head.
Like many people, I am a big fan of Gershwin music and this is going to be one spectacular evening. "Gershwin at Ravinia: Who Could Ask for Anything More?" commemorates the 70th anniversary of Gershwin's only Ravinia performance in 1936. Four-time Tony winner Audra McDonald, veteran of Ravinia's Sondheim series; vocalist Brian Stokes Mitchell; and conductor/pianist Andrew Litton will headline the 2006 Women's Board Gala Benefit Evening, July 15.
Hershey Felder, creator and star of George Gershwin Alone and Monsieur Chopin, will host and perform a program that includes "Rhapsody in Blue" and selections from Porgy and Bess, taking guests back to that summer when Gershwin took Ravinia by storm.
Paulette talked about the role of music in film in a recent article posted here at Chicago Classical Music. I think it's a great way to remind people how important music is in theater, movies, television and even cartoons. Imagine watching Bugs Bunny run around with no music!
I always tell friends who think they don't like classical music to think about it again. I know they will discover a hidden love (or at least fondness) for it.
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