Deabate over "Rhapsody in Blue"

As I mentioned in my Portrait of an Artist, Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin is a piece that is still under debate as to whether it is a jazz piece or a classical piece. Gershwin said himself that it is jazz piece, and it was what he produced when he was asked to write a "jazz concerto." The major reason this debate began was because the in the 20s, jazz was a very broad term sometimes defined as music that contained a steady beat and could be danced too. Rhapsody in Blue changes tempo very often, and stays true to the form of a classical Rhapsody. Different influences can be seen through out the piece including ragtime themes and cuban "clave" rhythm. The most clear evidence for the argument that it is jazz are the use of the "blue notes" of the jazz scale throughout the piece. Gershwin's intention was to dissolve the myth of jazz being specifically something to dance to, which should dissolve the argument on its own. Interesting facts: His orchestra arrangement sometimes included less traditional instruments such as banjos, saxophones, and accordions, adding to the jazz feel. Also, several types of non-classical piano styles have been noted such as stride piano, comic piano, novelty piano, and song-plugger style piano. The original full version of the composition is around 18 minutes long.