Description
“Irving Berlin (1888-1989) has no place in American music, he is American music,” wrote Jerome Kern about the composer of “Alexander’s Ragtime Band, “God Bless America,” and White Christmas.” In a career that spanned nine decades, Berlin wrote some 1500 tunes. James Kaplan’s new biography (2019) “Irving Berlin: New York Genius” captures Berlin as he grows up in New York City as a self -made man and as a witty, wily, tough Jewish immigrant. With this core book, that has excellent reviews from the New York Times, we will explore Irving Berlin’s life and music. What motivated his songs? How did his music change America?
Weekly Topics
Musical overview of Berlin’s work, New York City’s environment (1888 – 1898) and core book preface
Ch.1: The Fugitive
Ch.2: I have Discovered a Great Kid
Ch.3: You can Never Tell Your Finish When You Start
Ch.4: I Sweat Blood
Ch.5: At the Devil’s Ball
Ch.6: Play a Simple Melody
Ch.7: I Wasn’t Much of a Soldier
Ch.8: Work for yourself
Ch.9: What Shall I Do
Ch.10: Always
Ch.11: Never Saw the Sun Shining so Bright
Ch.12: Good God, Another Review
Ch.13: Before They Ask Us to Pay the Bill
Ch.14: Write Hits Like Irving Berlin
Ch. 15: While the Storm Clouds Gather
Ch.16: What is a War Song?
Ch. 17: This is the Army Mr. Jones
Ch. 18: To War
Ch.19: And Back
Ch. 20 There is America’s Folk Song Writer
Ch.21: I’ve Never Been in a Tougher Spot
Ch.22: We’ll Never Get Off the Stage
Ch. 23: A worried Old Man on the Hill
Ch.24: What Have You Written Lately?
Movie: “This is the Army” available on Amazon Prime
Bibliography
Kaplan, James, Irving Berlin: New York Genius 2019 Yale University Press
