"From the sounds of drums and gourd banjos that came with enslaved Africans to the folk songs that made their way from every corner of every continent, our music binds us at the emotional center of being and becoming American. In this conversation, Gopnik and I explore the musical expression of patriotism by new arrivals to our country the admiration and gratitude that inspired Irving Berlin to write his anthemic "God Bless America," and George Gershwin to capture what he called "the musical kaleidoscope of America" in his iconic Rhapsody in Blue."
A 250th anniversary journey collects conversations with scholars to find American history through songs. A pianist and a writer connect their immigrant roots through Ellis Island and African-descended family histories reaching Harlem. They link the American songbook to ancestors’ courage, love of the country, and sacrifices that enabled freedom and opportunity. American music is traced to original peoples of the land and to sounds brought by enslaved Africans, including drums and gourd banjos, alongside folk songs from many continents. Music is presented as an emotional center for becoming American. The conversation connects new arrivals’ admiration and gratitude to Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” and George Gershwin’s “the musical kaleidoscope of America” in “Rhapsody in Blue,” showing how patriotism and national identity evolve through song.
Read at www.npr.org
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