George Gershwin composed countless songs along with his brother, Ira, who was his lyricist. 

His songs have been featured in Broadway theater productions and countless movies, making their way into the canon of American music through the American Songbook.

The American concert pianist, Earl Wild, a great fan and exponent of George Gershwin’s music, composed his 7 concert studies based on Gershwin’s songs in 1954 and 1973.

It is the 4th of these studies, “Embraceable You”, that I play in this recording, which was released on Valentine’s Day 2025.

My approach and subsequent preparation for this recording were intentionally classical - with a speed more brisk and a sound more brilliant, sparkling and virtuosic than what you hear in this recording...but pianos, like people, have very unique personalities - which must always be encouraged, must always be embraced. 

At the time of this recording, the day, the piano and the moment called for a much different tack.

I relaxed the pace and adjusted my fingers’ relationship to the keys so the fingers are kept in constant contact to the key surface.  The sostenuto pedal, which allows the notes to resonate more fully and longer even after they are released, was used lightly, but over a longer period of time - creating a sort of halo of sound. 

And, instead of focusing on this as a piece of music with its formal structure, attending harmonies and rhythms, I focused on it as the sum of its parts: a very beautiful popular song with a unique and expressive soundscape.

The voice of Doris Day, a popular American singer of such songs from the 1960’s, immediately came to mind. 

Her singing style was intimate and communicative. But what I found most informative and convincing was her expressive interpretation of linguistic punctuation marks through commas and periods...after which there was a breath...a brief silence allowing the text to be artfully unraveled and be fully engaged by the listener. 

It is in these interstitial moments of brief silence that clarity is given time to form.

Such pauses are often overlooked...but are so very powerful when thoughtfully employed.

Her singing style was never rushed and her voice articulated a languid lushness that seemed to embrace listeners like a comfortable blanket - as if she were singing in your living room just for you.  And who wants to be let loose from an embrace that feels just right?

I hope the playing takes hold of you with such an embrace.

Listen to Embraceable You

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