Who’d a thunk the High Priest of Dodecaphonic Music would be such an admirer of popular success George Gershwin? You know, the guy that gave us “Swanee,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “Embraceable You,” and also “Rhapsody in Blue,” “An American in Paris,” and “Porgy and Bess.” And that furthermore the admiration would be reciprocated?

In this Arnold Schoenberg sesquicentennial year (he was born on September 13, 1874), we mark Gershwin’s birthday anniversary (born on this date in 1898) with a glimpse into classical music’s most unlikely mutual admiration society.

Gershwin and Schoenberg were tennis partners, both very serious about the game; they were painters (although Schoenberg abandoned the art to devote himself to music); and of course Gershwin hoped to study with Schoenberg, arguably the most influential avant-garde master of the 20th century.

Sadly, just months after Gershwin painted Schoenberg’s portrait, he died of a brain tumor at the age of 38. The next day, Schoenberg eulogized his friend for broadcast over the radio.

Interestingly, Gershwin’s friend and champion, the pianist Oscar Levant, did study composition with Schoenberg. Schoenberg was sufficiently impressed that he offered Levant a job as his assistant, but Levant turned him down, feeling he wasn’t worthy. Levant is still considered one of Gershwin’s foremost interpreters. Of course, he also appeared in the film version of “An American in Paris” with Gene Kelly.

George and Arnie were like the Frog and Toad of Beverly Hills. Remembering the multifaceted George Gershwin on his birthday.

Gershwin the painter

https://smtd.umich.edu/ami/gershwin/?p=870

Schoenberg paintings and drawings

https://www.schoenberg.at/index.php/en/schoenberg-2/bildnerischeswerk

Home movies of Schoenberg, filmed by Gershwin, set to a recording of Schoenberg’s String Quartet No. 4 that Gershwin sponsored. The nattily turned-out Gershwin can be seen with pipe and five o’clock shadow, winding the camera. Also, Schoenberg eulogizes Gershwin. All in three minutes!

More Gershwin home movies, including images of Schoenberg, courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Levant in “An American in Paris.” He’s the whole show in Gershwin’s Concerto in F.

PHOTO: Gershwin paints Schoenberg