Which composers influenced George Gershwin’s early music?

George Gershwin’s early musical development was shaped by a variety of influences, ranging from classical masters to contemporary songwriters.

His formal piano instructor, Charles Hambitzer, introduced him to the works of great classical composers, which provided a foundational understanding of the craft. As Gershwin began his career in the world of Tin Pan Alley, he was deeply inspired by the popular music of his time. He held a particular admiration for Irving Berlin, whom he famously referred to as "America's Franz Schubert," and Jerome Kern. Gershwin credited Kern with helping him realize that popular music could be composed with higher-quality material, which motivated his own aspirations to write for the Broadway stage.1

Additionally, his technical skills were refined through the guidance of traditionalist Edward Kilenyi and later through mentors such as Henry Cowell, Wallingford Riegger, and the theorist Joseph Schillinger, all of whom helped him blend classical techniques with the nuances of jazz and popular music.12