Rhapsody in Blue (1945)

Albert Bassermann: Prof. Franck

Quotes 

• Prof. Franck : Is your work the best? As good as you can do?

  George Gershwin : Well of course, not yet.

  Prof. Franck : Or are you just making a fortune?

  George Gershwin : What's wrong with a fortune, if it helps me get on?

  Prof. Franck : Come here, my boy. Look:

  Prof. Franck : [Indicating a portrait on the fireplace mantle]  This is Franz Schubert. He was a songwriter too. He died young. At 32. For years he wore the same old faded necktie. But in the land that nurtured him, he was a voice that will never be silenced.

  Prof. Franck : [now indicating a carved bust]  Here, Richard Wagner. At rehearsals of his great opera "Rienzi," Richard Wagner hid in the wings, while the singers ate their luncheon. He didn't have a lunch - just dreams of the music of the future.

  Prof. Franck : [now indicating another carved bust]  Beethoven. He never asked himself, "Is this a hit?" He said, "This is the way it must be done."

• Prof. Franck : [Indicating an autographed manuscript]  Eh? You see that? It wasn't a hit at first. It was a manuscript of Johannes Brahms.

  George Gershwin : You knew him?

  Prof. Franck : Yes, he gave it to me in Vienna. Once I hoped to reach his greatness. But one pupil like you makes up for a lifetime of disappointments.

  George Gershwin : [shaking his head]  Professor Franck... you overestimate my future.

  Prof. Franck : Oh, I have such hopes for you, my boy. America is a growing country. A mixture of things very old, with more that is new. Your nature has the same contradictions: the lamb, and the wolf. Ideals, and material ambitions. If you can make them both serve, George, you can give America her voice.

• Prof. Franck : For whom will you compose? For ragtime dancers - or for musicians?

  George Gershwin : I don't know - maybe both. It seems like everything I hear sticks in my head. I want to make those sounds come down through my fingers and into the keys.

• Prof. Franck : Look. This is Franz Schubert. He was a songwriter, too. He died young, at 32. For years, he wore the same old faded necktie. But in the land that nurtured him, he was a voice that will never be silenced. Here, Richard Wagner. At rehearsals of his great opera "Rienzi", Richard Wagner hid in the wings while the singers ate their luncheon. He didn't have a lunch - just dreams of the music of the future. Beethoven. He never asked himself, "Is this a hit?" He said, "This is the way it must be done."

  George Gershwin : In time, I'll write the way I feel.

• Prof. Franck : Darling, if George listens to the voice within himself, I'm not afraid for what will happen.

• Prof. Franck : Now then, play that Chopin, but without ragging it.