Burning Down

For some time now I have been debating whether to start a journal. I've finally decided to do so, and hopefully nobody minds. Yes the title kind of sucks, but this is not a creative writing forum

I've been a member for a little over a year now, but I don't think I've really gone into much detail about the music I like to listen to or why I like it. I guess you could just check out my Last FM page, but I don't always listen to music on my computer so it might be slightly inaccurate. I'm certainly not an expert at reviewing songs or albums but I often have an opinion. I don't care if nobody's interested in reading this thread or making a comment in it, but I'd like to get these ideas out there. Mostly to say that serious music students are not all stuck up snobs who only listen to the finest classical music School is starting again in a week so I will try my best to keep this updated when I have the time.

This thread will probably be more focused on individual songs or pieces rather than entire albums.

I would like to start by sharing a piece composed by Scott Joplin (1867 - 1917), the most widely recognized composer of ragtime piano music, and certainly one of the most famous African-American composers. Elite Syncopations (1902) is easily one of my favourites from his extensive catalogue.



Most, if not all, of Joplin's piano rags have been immortalized in the form of piano rolls made by Joplin himself. "Elite Sycopations" is one of them, and it's not hard to tell that a person isn't playing this piece. There are no dynamics or changes in tempo throughout the song, and certainly no personal touches that a real player would add. But I love it. The piece is a great representation of early 20th century America.

Aside from the music of Tin Pan Alley, ragtime music was the most popular genre across the United States at the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century. When I listen to "Elite Syncopations" or any other ragtime piece, I think of the silent film genre. Ragtime was used when screening silent films to keep the audience entertained and to add another dimension to the film being played on the screen. Images of honky tonk bars and saloons also come to mind.

"Elite Syncopations" in particular makes me think of a more simple time - a time before major global conflict and economic depression. A time when people were enjoying themselves and the world around them.

VEGANGELICA

I'm so glad you've started a journal, Burning Down!

And I've learned something already. As I listened to Scott Joplin's "Elite Syncopations," I thought to myself, "Hey! That really reminds me of one of my favorite songs I remember hearing as a child: The Entertainer!"

So I looked up The Entertainer, and lo! It is by Scott Joplin! I never knew that. During elementary school, we used to have snacks in a room with a piano, and some precocious piano-playing kid often played The Entertainer. So now Graham Crackers and The Entertainer are always pleasantly associated in my mind. Also, my dad used to play The Entertainer sometimes in the evening, so when I hear it I feel as if I'm again peacefully snug in my childhood bed in the dark, listening to my dad playing the piano downstairs.

Here's The Entertainer, by Scott Joplin , on the off chance you haven't heard it:

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Gavin B.

Scott Joplin was a towering figure in American music who practically invented the jazz genre singlehandedly. As a composer & pianist, I think he's comparable to Johann Sebastian Bach. Most of his music went unheard by the vast majority of white Americans because he was a black composer & he died in poverty. The use of Joplin's song The Entertainer in the Paul Newman/Robert Redford film The Sting brought about a minor revival of interest in Scott Joplin's music in the early 70s. I grew up with Joplin's music because my lifelong best friend's father played trumpet with the St. Louis Ragtimers, so I knew about Joplin, Jellyroll Morton, & W.C. Handy at the tender age of 8 years old.

Even in his most strident & syncopated rags, there was always an element of melancholy in everything Scott Joplin wrote. My favorite rag by Joplin is The Ragtime Dance. It has such a majestic sound.

Burning Down

Yes, I know both those pieces! Thanks for sharing them. I've always enjoyed "The Entertainer", but Joplin's less famous works are generally more interesting to me, for the sole reason that not everybody knows them.

I'll have to come back to this later, I'm running short on time right now.

Engine

I love Scott Joplin and I'm especially looking forward to your stuckup opinions on the finest classical music, which I also love.

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Like an arrow,
I was only passing through.

thomasracer56

Ha, The Entertainer makes me think of the salloon. Though most of the time the piano players are playing the Peanuts theme. I hope that soon I can learn the trumpet solo, though it may be a challenge.

Burning Down

I went out today and bought some sheet music, including Antonio Vivaldi's Flute Concerto in D Major. It's an absolutely beautiful piece of music, and I hope to be able to play it so it sounds pretty! I won't have an orchestra to back me up (well not just yet ), only piano accompaniment for now. I was always more familiar with his Four Seasons violin concertos, and I'm trying to find other things by this wonderful composer.

Here's Vivaldi's Flute Concerto in D Major (all movements):



And here's the Spring section of his Four Seasons concertos:



I just can't get enough!

And no, the thread won't all be about classical music, but I'm just in a classical music type of mood tonight

Burning Down

And now for something COMPLETELY different. Last year I took a course in 20th Century music history. The whole course was centered around orchestral music in the 20th century, whether it be neo-Classical, serialism, ragtime, chance, or avant-garde/experimental. I was especially intrigued by the avant-garde music.

Milton Babbitt's Philomel was composed in 1964, and Babbitt used the technology of the day to it's full advantage. This is part of the piece, and there are two voices singing. To be more specific, it's the same woman, but Babbitt recorded her singing one part of the piece and then played tape while the rest of the piece was being recorded in studio. Basically a form of dubbing. It's a strange song to listen to though, especially for the first time (well it was like that for me). I think it's extremely unique and that's what I like about it.

Burning Down

Cécile Chaminade's Concertino Op. 107 for Flute & Piano is a flute solo piece that highlights the player's virtuosity, especially during the cadenza section when the piano cuts out. The player can use whatever tempo, technique, tone, dynamic, etc. during the cadenza. I have the sheet music for it and I'm trying to learn it! Because this is one of the most beautiful flute pieces in existence, I don't feel obligated to comment on it. It's just so pretty and I love it. Take a listen and you'll see why.

First version. No this is NOT me playing it, as much as I would like to take the credit. This is a recording.



Second version. I found a video of a 7 year old girl playing Chaminade's Concertino. WOWWWW! It's nearly flawless.



Now to find some stuff from other genres...

rondo

wow

I admire and envy her deeply. The piece in and of itself didn't interest me much to be honest, but the more I watch this little girl play it, the more adorable it gets! Good find .

Her video of Bizet's carmen was pretty sweet too, although something about it seems a bit forced.

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I came to Berlin looking for love and success, but I decided to settle for sex, drugs and rock and roll.