Gershwin wrote “Summertime” in 1935 as a part of his self-titled “folk opera,” Porgy and Bess. He wanted the “opera” to reflect the folk spirituals of the African American south but still have its own consistent musical form. “Summertime” is an example of the blending of American jazz and spirituals with the classical “operatic” form.

The instrumental texture of the piece is influenced by the classical genre of music. It’s instrumentation is a classical orchestra, showcased in an introduction that features woodwinds that gradually add layers of texture. The vocal line however, mimics American folk spirituals. The melody is simple and repetitive and it works to express the emotional depth of the lyrics. The singer’s style also mimics the genre, with thin vibrato and a clear, soulful sound.  These elements are especially clear at the start of the song at 0:22, when the line rises and the singer crescendos through the lyric “summertime,” to depict the deep life of the season in one word.

These two seemingly contrasting lines work together, with the instrumental line adding emotional undercurrent to the steady melody of the vocal line. An example of this is at 1:43, when the instrumentation crescendos and grows in texture to express the depth of the lyrics. The vocal line remains steady, but the instrumental line moves quickly through its melody to express movement. The two lines work together to convey the depth of the spiritual and set the stage for the geographically specific story of the folk opera.