![]() Also, if one is aware of the historical side of this piece (it was his first copyrighted piece since the sudden death of his new wife, Freddie), one is able to fully understand the piece. Everything about the piece is genius in my opinion, the unusual modulations and he became a lot more daring with his harmonies in this piece. The real genius of this work is Joplin's use of one tiny motif from the start, and turning it into "An enchantingly beautiful piece of music". I don't know how to quote multiple people, so I'll just have to do it like this.Įxalted Wombat: In terms of Bethena, I have to disagree with what you said. I thought it was better-researched and better-written than some of the other biographies I've seen. Berlin, published by Oxford University Press. You may still be able to find King of Ragtime, Scott Joplin and His Era by Edward A. The story of his life is as affecting as his compositions. And, as you said, sometimes the less talented have been thrust in our face- that's still happening to this very day. Even Joplin's own surviving works are likely just a fraction of what he might have brought forth in a less adverse circumstance. I think that there are many blazing talents who have been swept away so completely by time and circumstances of fortune that we will never have any way of finding out about them. If you're not familiar with Lamb's work, you have a nice treat in store, as a Joplin fan. However, let's not forget Joseph Lamb, or even Joplin's contemporaries from other countries, such as Ernesto Nazareth. I'm very partial to Joplin, and would be the last to decry his special gifts, though I'm not sure I would grant such a blanket imprimatur to every one of his works. ![]() ".His Rags are pure genius, much finer than any of the ones written during his time." It could be argued that Joplin got stuck in it. And whistle me something from 'Treemonisha'? Is 'Bethena' THAT original? A string of pleasant but themes connected by rather contrived modulations. But since "The Sting" (goodness - was it really way back in 1973 :-) and the Joplin revival it sparked off, I'd say he's OVER-rated if anything. Unfortunately, both of these works are now lost.ĭo you feel Joplin and the Ragtime Era deserves more respect as a form, and as a part of Classical art? Joplin's works demonstrate absolute genius and that's why I feel he's often brushed off as just a Ragtime composer, when really, he was so much more than that.Ĥ0 years ago, maybe. It's also believed he was working on a Piano Concerto. It's also known that at one point he was going to "revolutionize the symphonic form" and was composing a Ragtime Symphony. He demonstrates outstanding originality in 'Bethena - A Concert Waltz', and of course his Opera, 'Treemonisha'. It's a known fact that Joplin was constantly trying to revolutionize Ragtime and wanted to be taken seriously as a Classical Composer. I've always been an avid Joplin/Ragtime fan, and I'm fascinated by not only his music, but his life.
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