George Gershwin

3 Preludes

Following the model established by Bach and Chopin, George Gershwin (1898 – 1937) originally planned to write 24 modern preludes for piano, one in each major and relative minor key. The collection was to be called The Melting Pot as it combined cross-cultural elements of classical, popular, jazz, and blues styles. Already established as a composer of popular songs, Broadway musicals, and masterpieces like Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F, Gershwin’s frenetic musical activities and an early death intervened, and for various reasons—only three of the completed 5-7 preludes were published in 1927. By omission and circumstance, these three compositions have endured the test of time as Gershwin’s Three Preludes.This book presents idiomatic flute/guitar arrangements of Gershwin’s iconic Three Preludes. The original keys of the preludes were altered to accommodate drop-D guitar tuning and highlight the strengths and tessituras of the two instruments. The music is written in standard notation only and presented in guitar and flute scores, guitar accompaniment with extensive suggested fingering, and a flute solo part with guitar cues. Includes access to an outstanding online audio recording by The Cypress Duo, featuring flutist Amanda Hoke and author/guitarist Justin Hoke.Audiences are going to love hearing these preludes rendered by the flute and guitar, particularly “Prelude II”, in Gershwin’s words, “a sort of blues lullaby” that is familiar to many musicians and listeners alike