George Gershwin's "It Ain't Necessarily So" from Porgy and Bess for Horn Quartet: An In-Depth Analysis

George Gershwin's "It Ain't Necessarily So" is a beautiful and complex piece of music. It was written in 1934 for the opera Porgy and Bess, and it has since become one of Gershwin's most popular and recognizable songs.

George Gershwin It Ain't Necessarily So (from “Porgy and Bess”) for Horn Quartet: arranged by Giovanni Abbiati

by Giovanni Abbiati

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1555 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	24 pages

FREE

The song is a spiritual, and it is based on a poem by DuBose Heyward. The poem tells the story of a man who is trying to make sense of the world around him. He sees all the suffering and injustice in the world, and he wonders why God allows it to happen.

Gershwin's music perfectly captures the mood of the poem. The song is slow and mournful, and it has a haunting melody. The lyrics are simple and direct, but they are also very powerful.

The song is written in a ternary form, with an ABA structure. The A section is in the key of D minor, and it features the main melody of the song. The B section is in the key of F major, and it provides a contrasting section to the A section. The A section returns at the end of the song, and it ends in the key of D major.

The harmony of the song is very rich and complex. Gershwin uses a variety of chords, including major and minor chords, seventh chords, and extended chords. The use of these chords creates a sense of tension and release, which helps to build the emotional impact of the song.

The instrumentation of the song is also very effective. Gershwin uses a horn quartet to accompany the voice. The horns play a simple but effective melody, which provides a solid foundation for the song. The horns also play a number of countermelodies, which add to the richness of the texture.

"It Ain't Necessarily So" is a masterpiece of American music. It is a beautiful and moving song that has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world.

Analysis

The following is a more detailed analysis of the song "It Ain't Necessarily So":

• Form: The song is in a ternary form, with an ABA structure. The A section is in the key of D minor, and it features the main melody of the song. The B section is in the key of F major, and it provides a contrasting section to the A section. The A section returns at the end of the song, and it ends in the key of D major.
• Harmony: The harmony of the song is very rich and complex. Gershwin uses a variety of chords, including major and minor chords, seventh chords, and extended chords. The use of these chords creates a sense of tension and release, which helps to build the emotional impact of the song.
• Instrumentation: The song is orchestrated for a horn quartet and voice. The horns play a simple but effective melody, which provides a solid foundation for the song. The horns also play a number of countermelodies, which add to the richness of the texture.

"It Ain't Necessarily So" is a masterpiece of American music. It is a beautiful and moving song that has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. The song's complex form, harmony, and instrumentation make it a fascinating piece to study, and it is sure to continue to be enjoyed by audiences for many years to come.

George Gershwin It Ain't Necessarily So (from “Porgy and Bess”) for Horn Quartet: arranged by Giovanni Abbiati

by Giovanni Abbiati

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1555 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	24 pages

FREE