Gershwin and Stravinsky

‘This is fascinating, this is America!’ Stravinsky is said to have exclaimed when he heard Gershwin’s music. The admiration was mutual. However great their differences, what they recognised in each other was the driving energy of their work. The Charleston rhythm is the heartbeat of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto. Stravinsky’s Sacre pulses with elemental force. You cannot sit still for either.