(See Van Vechten's introduction to The Gershwin Years.) So along with Gershwin's songs ('Swanee,' ' Stairway to the Stars' and 'Innocent Ingenue Baby') receiving their debut on a classical stage, so did Gershwin himself. On asking Van Vecten who might accompany her for the American songs portion of her program, he suggested Gershwin. When Van Vechten mentioned American songs her response was tepid, but when he 'particularized' by making a reference to the songs as 'Jazz,' her interest picked up and when Maurice Ravel saw her in Paris and made a similar proposal, she accepted the concept. The idea for doing this virtually unheard of combination of song styles in concert was proposed to Gauthier by Carl Van Vechten (American, writer, music critic, and photographer) when she asked him for suggestions for her upcoming recital. The first time Gershwin songs were performed by a classical singer in concert was on the occasion of Eva Gauthier's recital of 'Ancient and Modern Music for Voice' at Aeolian Hall, in New York City, November 21, 1923. (originally published 1973 as They're Playing Our Song: From Jerome Kern to Stephen Sondheim-The Stories behind the Words and Music of Two Generations), New York and Stratford, CT: Easton Studio Press, 2008. They're Playing Our Song: Conversations with America's Classic Songwriters The Song is Ended: Songwriters and American Music, 1900-1950. In the Cafe Songbook Record/Video Cabinet Pattie Austin recorded 'Swanee' on her 2007 album

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1919 george gershwin compositions