George Gershwin's Rhapsody of Life

Soundcheck | May 3, 2010
George Gershwin's Tin Pan Alley hits were inspired by his rough Lower East Side upbringing. Today we speak with musicologist and author, Howard Pollack about whether the legendary songwriter of "Porgy and Bess," and "The Man I Love," whom he argues really belongs among serious classical composers. Also: The New York Times recently noted that singer-songwriter Lee Feldman "uses a Tin Pan Alley bounce to make twisted or troubled situations sound like parlor songs." He joins us with a live performance. Finally, a look ahead to developments in digital music sales in 2007.

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories

America at 250: A View from Britain, with “The Rest Is History”

The historian-podcasters Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland explain why losing the thirteen colonies “annoyed” the British, but “it could have been a lot worse.”
The New Yorker Radio Hour |

NYC Rent Guidelines Board approves 2-year rent freeze, fulfilling Mamdani campaign pledge

About 1 million rent-stabilized apartments will be shielded from rent increases for the next two years after the historic vote.
Gothamist |

Are Carriage Horses a Thing of the Past?

Liam Quigley talks about the latest efforts to ban carriage horses in Central Park.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

Feds indict former Mayor Adams adviser Frank Carone in migrant housing bribery scheme

One of former Mayor Eric Adams' oldest and closest allies was arrested Wednesday on federal corruption charges, joining a growing roster of Adams aides facing prosecution.
Gothamist |
YOU ARE ONLINE