Gershwin

He was preparing to release a gorgeous album of Gershwin interpretations that was twice as good as it needed to be — and probably three times better than most anybody expected.

It marked a return to creative form as, in the ensuing years, he embarked on a series of recordings, including an interpretation of Gershwin classics that made number one on the Billboard jazz chart.

But Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” is her favorite.

The Russians were annoyed that the subject was Ukraine; the Ukrainians were offended by Copland’s Americanization of their folk music and by Ira Gershwin’s lyrics.

Shirley Temple was a neighbor, and Harpo Marx was a friend, as was George Gershwin, who was also his tennis partner.