George Gershwin: His Life and Work by Howard Pollack
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Book Summary Author: Howard Pollack Edition: Hardcover Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2007-01-15 ISBN: 0520248643 Number of pages: 884 Publisher: University of California Press |
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Book Reviews of the George Gershwin: His Life and Work
Customer Review: Genius writes about genius
Summary: 5 Stars
We usually apply the term genius to the subject of a biography. With the writing of Howard Pollack, one can also apply that term to the biographer.
When I first heard that Pollack was at work on a biography of Gershwin, I was saddened to think that he would be devoting his time to someone who had been the subject of so many biographies. I thought, what else was there to be said about Gershwin, but when I recalled the balanced and thoroughly considered approach he brought to his biography of Copland, I was curious to read what he would write. Not only was I not disappointed, I was overwhelmed.
Pollack does not question the actions of his subjects, he reports and tells a story, leaving the reader to make his or her own judgements. There is no attempt to sensationalize anything as he lets the facts speak for themselves. Pollack treats his subjects with the greatest respect without losing sight of their humanity. He brings great dignity to his writing and to his subjects.
His use of the language is transparent. You are never slowed down by his words. When he writes about music, Pollack has a remarkable ability to engage both the musician and non-musician alike. As with his volume on Copland, you sense he knows the music so well that he can intuit what the composer intended with each new work. He seeks out so much of the related material one would think he has devoted his entire life to the study of his subjects. You are aware of the detail, but not overwhelmed or encumbered by it.
I found the quotes from Michael Feinstein to be very informative. Feinstein, is not only the great exponent of popular music of the tradition of Gershwin, Kern, Berlin, et al; he is also one of the most informed in the music of that period. The time Feinstein spent as Ira Gershwin's assistant lends credibility to his perspective and recollections, and adds great insight to both the humanity and the music of Gershwin.
This volume is as close to an encapsulation of Gershwin's life and works as one could hope to find in words.