Gershwin: Porgy and Bess – It Ain’t Necessarily So (Arr. Heifetz for Violin and Piano) ｜Eimi Wakui
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American composer George Gershwin (1898–1937) brought a fresh and innovative voice to 20th-century music by blending classical traditions with jazz, blues, gospel, and other elements of African American music. His masterpiece, the folk opera Porgy and Bess (premiered in 1935), is a landmark work that portrays human struggle and hope within a Black community in the American South.
Among its many memorable numbers, “It Ain’t Necessarily So” is sung by the sly and skeptical character Sportin’ Life. With its ironic take on biblical stories, the song stands out for its playful, bluesy melody and syncopated rhythms. These jazzy and sophisticated elements act as a kind of emotional buffer within the opera, highlighting the diversity of values and emotional depth in the characters.
In this video, I perform the arrangement for violin and piano by Jascha Heifetz, one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century.
Heifetz masterfully adapts the jazz-infused flavor and ironic undertones of the original into the expressive voice of the violin. His arrangement brings out the swing feel of jazz and the colors of the blues, allowing the violin to move freely like a storyteller. It requires an interpretation that blends irony, lightness, and an urban sense of cool.
This arrangement is also a remarkable example of how jazz and musical theater can be seamlessly woven into the classical repertoire. Through Heifetz’s performances, this piece gained recognition among classical music audiences and has since become a staple of the violin repertoire—valued for its crossover appeal and distinctive character.
While technically challenging, what matters most in performing this work is giving it a human voice—letting the violin sing and speak with warmth, irony, and presence.
The instrument becomes a narrator, telling a story full of humor and truth through sound.
Through this performance, I hope to share a glimpse of the freedom, conflict, sorrow, joy, and resilience that live within Porgy and Bess‼
Piano: Alexey Sychev
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