George Gershwin, born Jacob Gershowitz (New York, September 26, 1898 - Hollywood, July 11, 1937), was an American composer, pianist, conductor and painter. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American composers, who succeeded in bridging classical music, folk music and entertainment music.

“Rialto Ripples” is an early ragtime composition by Gershwin for piano (1917), possibly created in collaboration with Will Donaldson. It is unclear what role Donaldson played in this: did he actually co-compose, or did he merely “lend” his name to get this composition published at “Jerome Remick Publishing House (Detroit),” a music publishing house, where both Gershwin and Donaldson were employed?

Gershwin's great talent is already evident in this early ragtime composition, through the use of very interesting harmonies and rhythmic variation.

About the title “Rialto Ripples” the story goes, that the composition originated during a bus ride on 5th Avenue. Rialto is a pseudonym for Broadway. Ripples could refer to raindrops on the window of Gershwin's hotel, in which reflections were visible from the lights of Broadway. Either way, this delightful rag is upbeat and funny and will put a smile on the face of many a listener.
Google machine translation: Original story of the work