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Topic: Rag recommendations  (Read 1658 times)

Offline advertis45

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Rag recommendations
on: May 18, 2024, 05:41:35 PM
Hello everyone,
I am playing at a venue soon, and I need some pieces of music that are very laid back, yet can be dramatic or sad at times, since I want some variety in what I'm choosing. I am thinking some Scott Joplin or some William Bolcom. If you have any suggestions for those composers or if you have any other composers in mind, please tell me below.

Offline transitional

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Re: Rag recommendations
Reply #1 on: May 18, 2024, 08:21:29 PM
Maybe you could try Joplin's Magnetic Rag, which was his last published rag. It feels innocent and laid back but also idiomatic throughout its broader scope, feeding Joplin's resignation but also simultaneously trying to experiment more with the form of the rag.

Offline pianistavt

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Re: Rag recommendations
Reply #2 on: May 19, 2024, 12:56:42 PM
Ragtime had a heyday after the movie "The Sting", classical musicians got on the bandwagon - there was an album with Itzhak Perlman violin and Andre Previn piano - that's how I became acquainted with about 12 Joplin rags and learned most of them.  The ones I recommend are:
- Magnetic Rag (his best and most exploratory)
- Other rags:  Easy Winners, Sugarcane Rag, The Strenuous Life, Pineapple Rag, The Entertainer (of course), Peacherine Rag
- Solace (low key tempo, kind of sad)
- Bethena (a lovely waltz)

I posted a video of "Swipesy, a cakewalk" in the audition section, I also recommend that one.

Offline advertis45

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Re: Rag recommendations
Reply #3 on: May 19, 2024, 06:12:37 PM
Thank you for all the recommendations. Do you guys have any for William Bolcom, though? I am quite interested in his rags, but I don't really know where to start with him.

Offline pianistavt

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Re: Rag recommendations
Reply #4 on: May 19, 2024, 08:37:36 PM
Thank you for all the recommendations. Do you guys have any for William Bolcom, though? I am quite interested in his rags, but I don't really know where to start with him.
Three Ghost Rags are really popular, I think the first is the most popular, but they are all good.  Check them out on YT
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