The work is characterized by five primary musical themes that repeat and expand in a call-and-response style: : The main opening theme.
: The iconic opening clarinet wail was not originally in the score. During rehearsals, clarinetist Ross Gorman played the opening scale with a humorous, sliding glissando. Gershwin loved it so much he asked Gorman to keep it as a permanent "ice-breaker" for the piece. Rhapsody In Blue: Gershwin
: Due to time constraints—Gershwin composed the concerto in just five weeks—the orchestration was handled by Whiteman’s arranger, Ferde Grofé . Grofé created multiple versions over the years, including the original jazz band scoring (1924) and the more common full symphonic version (1942). Musical Structure and Themes The work is characterized by five primary musical
: The lush, slow middle theme (famously used for years in United Airlines commercials). Impact and Controversy Gershwin loved it so much he asked Gorman