Porgy is:an interesting example of what can be done by talent in spite of a bad setup. With a libretto that should never have been accepted on a subject that should never have been chosen, a man who should never have attempted it has written a work that has a considerable power.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Gershwin suggests that talent can overcome poor foundational choices in creative work.
- In plain terms
- Even with a flawed start, skill can create something powerful.
- What can you take from it?
- Talent can salvage weak premises.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can great work come from bad ideas?
- How much can talent fix?
Another view
A bad setup often limits the ultimate potential regardless of talent.
More from George Gershwin
George died on July 11, 1937, but I don't have to believe that if I don't want to.
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