George Gershwin, William John Donaldson

Rialto Ripples

George Gershwin, born Jacob Gershowitz (New York, September 26, 1898 - Hollywood, July 11, 1937), was an American composer, pianist, conductor and painter. He is considered one of the greatest American composers who succeeded in building a bridge between classical music, folk music and popular music.

'Rialto Ripples' is an early ragtime composition by Gershwin for piano (1917), which was possibly written in collaboration with Will Donaldson. It is unclear what role Donaldson played in this: did he actually co-compose it or did he just 'lend' his name to publish this composition at the 'Jerome Remick Publishing House (Detroit)', a music publishing house where both Gershwin and Donaldson were employed?

Gershwin's great talent is already evident in this early ragtime composition through the use of very interesting harmonies and rhythmic variations.

It is said of the title 'Rialto Ripples' that the composition was written during a bus ride on 5th Avenue. Rialto is a synonym for Broadway. Ripples' could refer to raindrops on the windows of Gershwin's hotel, reflecting the lights of Broadway. In any case, this delightful rag is upbeat and witty and will bring a smile to many a listener's face.