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George Gershwin, a giant of American music, is singular in that he was both a brilliant writer of popular songs (Swanee, I Got Rhythm, They Can’t Take That Away from Me) and more serious musical scores, including Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, and Porgy and Bess. Although his career covered less than two decades, and ended with his tragic death in 1937, his music endures. Join pianist and Gershwin-authority Robert Wyatt, co-editor of Oxford University Press’ The George Gershwin Reader, in this lively lecture and recital exploring Gershwin’s life and legacy. The evening includes live performances of the solo piano version of Rhapsody in Blue, early and unpublished music, the piano improvisations and other Gershwin hits. Rare film footage obtained from the Gershwin family will illustrate the program, along with unpublished photographs of the composer and his friends. Attendees will also hear archival recordings of his 1932-33 radio program, Music by Gershwin. The audience will exit with an appreciation of the influence of Gershwin’s compositions on American music and a better understanding of his relationships to other artists of his era.