I am not highbrow

After writing his opera Porgy and Bess, producers in Hollywood started to think that Gerswhin was turning “highbrow”.  George and Ira Gerswhin’s agent told Ira :”They think George is too highbrow.  Can’t he write a few words and explain to them?” George wired: “Rumours about highbrow music ridiculous.  Am out to write hits.”

– George Gerswhin

Cited in: Greenberg, Rodney (2008) George Gerswhin.  New York: Phaidon Press, p.216.

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