Für Elise done right (that is, in ragtime)

Ah yes, Beethoven's dreaded Für Elise, the bane of music lovers and piano teachers alike, played on endless repeat by anyone with two hands and a rudimentary piano education. Well, as always, here comes Ragtime (and stride, and boogie-woogie) to the rescue. Hats off to Ethan Uslan for the incredible arrangement.
Sheet music: www.uslanmusic...

[@EthanUslan]

approved!!!

[@dububro]

Now we just need Mozart's approval.

[@youtube_wisdomclips]

@@dububro Shouldn't take too long.

[@ThatBoomerDude56]

Beethoven is rolling over ... ... and telling Tchaikovsky the news.

[@janicemabrey5659]

Fantastic arrangment Ethan!

[@michaelhanford8139]

Holden, I have the shovel if you have the time😄

[@thebedroomshow9010]

I like that this includes more than just the main motif and expands on the other parts of the piece

[@williamforbes5826]

I'll keep it simple, Wow!

[@frayleaf]

Make sure you wait for the change

[@1msbucket]

I think I kinda liked that!😄

[@awesome346]

Jesus loves you!!!

[@adammiller6299]

@@williamforbes5826 You took the Wow! right out of my mouth!

[@kirbovibes7571]

this is some swaggy supervillain type music, and tbh if someone walked in with this playing behind them, I'd let them take over the world

[@SpamEggSausage]

this would fit right in Boardwalk Empire

[@jamesmcinnis208]

As if you could stop them. Tbh.

[@AtlasFox]

Hello Bats! Did ya miss me? [Mark Hamill Joker laugh]

[@joshthompiano]

Wow! That is a killer arrangement. I am a piano teacher and wasn't sure what to expect that honored all the sections really well. Kudos to Ethan for the arrangement and your brilliant performance. I might have to check out that sheet score!

[@rebeccaatkinson7291]

Did u ever have a pupil who played by ear and wanted yo play by notes but whatever they learned only stuck in their head I can wrote notes but don't remember which ones. I did now my keyboard had been stokdn do I have to play air piano because it keeps the brain sharp and everything working well music is important yo the brain it should be a mandatory college class

[@rebeccaatkinson7291]

In the movie Hatching wasn't Hatchi's owner a music teacher????

[@joshthompiano]

@@rebeccaatkinson7291 Reading notes comes quickly for some and more slowly for others. When I began, I had to read and memorize my pieces all the time because my sight reading was slow. Keep it up! Have fun. :)

[@joshthompiano]

@@rebeccaatkinson7291 I don't know. I never saw that movie.

[@hussainbergthesalafi1055]

Oh That Woogie part was *Fonky Chonky*

[@AreeVee]

That Chonky Fonky

[@justinzheng3000]

@@AreeVee The Fonky Chonky

[@sstlibertas6440]

That splish splash

[@nobleninja94]

Do you want that fonky chonky?

[@thestarsailor972]

@@sstlibertas6440 with that slup blup

[@randomroughneck1030]

Ah yes, fur elise, the one piece our music teacher would get angry at for us playing it at the piano right next to her desk, since she heard so many of her students play it she just couldn't cope with any more...

[@Tarabara]

My ex asked to play the piano in a teacher's room once and the teacher said, "As long as it's not Fur Elise or Heart and Soul". He played David Lanz instead, much to the teacher's delight.

[@blackforest_fairy]

für not fur. ü and u are two different letters.

[@Scorialimit]

@@blackforest_fairy don't worry nobody is grading the KZbin comment section and everybody knows what they meant. The point of language is communication, not to police others.

[@biggusdickus1689]

It's the stairway to heaven of classical music

[@samvsmedia8680]

@@blackforest_fairy are you telling me the song isnt about a canadian fur trader named Elise? Whatever, you can't touch my head cannon

[@jamesslick4790]

Für Elise is one of my favorite pieces, and Rag in one of my favorite genres. Putting them together is something I never contemplated. THIS WAS PERFECT! 👍😊👍🎶🎶🎶

[@weirdojo2392]

Completely and entirely agreed

[@rebeccaatkinson7291]

I know omg heavenly. Wonder if he does Bach

[@tejaswoman]

My brother used to drive us nuts, playing this piano piece constantly over the years. The worst part was that the further we got from the time of his early lessons, the more he stumbled on the opening notes. He would sit down at our parents piano and play the tune while waiting for the rest of us to get ready to go somewhere, and it would unintentionally hurry us along because we couldn't stand to hear him keep hitting a wrong note and starting over! Thank you for this wonderful re-envisioning.

[@constancebaker2767]

Are you really sure it was unintentional?

[@ericmckay6391]

​@@constancebaker2767 Haha 😁

[@UgonnaH8M8]

Damn, this is so underrated

[@dougp7934]

I was just about to type the same thing!

[@rebeccaatkinson7291]

TRUE TRUE TRUE

[@menacingpyro2005]

Sounds like a swaggy 1930s animated villain. I love it

[@kristopherguilbault5428]

Wow that composition sounded like it could have actually been made in the late 30s early 40s!! Impressive!

[@rebeccaatkinson7291]

Try the 1800 hundreds or before its Beethoven

[@TOBAPNW_]

@@rebeccaatkinson7291 You're off. Also, they're not talking about the original Fur Elise; they're talking about this reimagined ragtime composition.

[@rebeccaatkinson7291]

@@TOBAPNW_ No you're off u don't understand the purpose of the whole post I know DUH I'm a musician Beethoven wrote it in the 1800s or before LOL BYE

[@Chesemiser]

@@rebeccaatkinson7291 Fur Elise was published in 1867, and while ragtime was popular between the 1890s and the 1910s the original poster of this comment seems to have been trying to say that it sounds like authentic ragtime or that it sounds similar to things they have heard that where wrighten during the late 30s and the 40s. Could also be a reference to it sounding rather similar to Boogie-Woogie.

[@weathermansam2]

@@Chesemiser “that where wrighten”

[@quantumz1348]

I love this so much because whenever I would play to the part at around 2:15 I would start to swing the tempo into something more interesting but would chide myself for playing "wrong". But it's just naturally jazzy! The song wants to swing in places and it took a great performance to make it happen correctly.

[@echoecho3108]

All right! Boogie on! Four of my favorite things, all at once: boogie, ragtime, piano, Fur Elise. Heaven!

[@mike1024.]

It's incredible, this is not the first ragtime rendition of Fur Elise I've heard, yet the composition was very similar. Ragtime really must be so specific people that take the same song and come up with almost the same arrangement. Very cool!

[@itty1314]

I get what you mean, and I whole heartedly agree with the sentiment... but the music nerd in me wants to explain that, while yes, ragtime *does* have *very* specific techniques that go into making it what it is, the beauty of it comes from the fact that all these techniques can be moved around each other and still work. Ragtime is less about technical accuracy (it still plays a part, don't get me wrong) and more about expression and *~V I B E S~* it's a bit of a puzzle, where the pieces are all *exactly* the same size and shape, but with different colors on them that make each end product uniquely samey, if that makes sense. And while there might not be a "right" way to play ragtime, or even a "wrong" way really, there are definitely some *iffy* ways that *sound* almost right but just *feel* kinda off.... and I'm rambling... haveagoodday,guhbye

[@uttopielec]

that was a first non-boring Für Elise I've heard so far, hats off to you for the stellar performance, and to Ethan Uslan for arranging this

[@sherrybirchall8677]

Well, Für Elise is never boring, but yes, this rendition is certainly fabulous too.

[@rebeccaatkinson7291]

Since when is any beautiful piece of music boring I'm a musician and I love fur Elise but Bach Chopin and Vivaldi pretty sure are my favorite's

[@Rabbit_Hill]

@@rebeccaatkinson7291 i’m also a musician and I think Fur Elise is boring.

[@crow-jane]

@@Rabbit_Hill It’s a cliche at this point, for certain. It’s uh…concert music for basics who think their tastes are sophisticated.

[@xdashlydia]

I want the black-and-white cartoon that has this for a soundtrack!

[@therandomist1054]

This kind of a mix of classical, boogie woogie, and ragtime

[@The_shadowtaker]

And stride

[@LINKINPARK11499]

I saw no one say it: That Piano sounds amazing

[@GuyMcPherson69]

Agreed

[@roysmith6118]

Kudos for getting the two wildly different tempos to work together. Wow.

[@MasterofTongs]

You know, the main reason Fur Elise gets a bad rap is because most never get past the brooding bit to experience the despair, relief, beauty, and pleasantness dispersed through the rest of the song.

[@justinmuse7095]

Never heard of Fur Elise getting a bad rap

[@jamesmcinnis208]

​@@justinmuse7095 Nor I.

[@Sin_Alder]

Never heard a single person, regardless of background or musical taste, give it a bad rap.

[@darthandeddeu]

Hate to agree, but yeah , most time the opening is all most people hear

[@crunchybanana6489]

I agree but I also haven’t heard people give it a bad rap

[@4metroscuadrados]

I can really Picture Beethoven somehow "inventing the drums and thinking of new ideas for something like a Baseline..." Your approach is great on this one

[@robcourtney6332]

I saw the title of this video and almost scrolled right past it thinking: "B.S. Nobody could arrange that into ragtime and end up with a coherent piece of music." Well, damn...I was wrong. This is brilliant! Excellent work!

[@rhondabliss4620]

It’s now on my list of music for my K-5 grades to show different genres of music. Fantastic!!! And it’s February, African American Heritage month. What a great way to show the joining together of classical and jazz!

[@XXKINGSLAY3RXX]

rhonda i love you

[@alexanderyozzo]

Black History month is now AA Heritage month? haha what’s it gonna be called in 40 more years, events of person of brownness time period awareness month?

[@cloverlucky5977]

@@alexanderyozzo is that really what you decided to focus on about that comment

[@mason7067]

Leave your racist garbage out of this excellent music please.

[@mason7067]

@@alexanderyozzo No, black history is starting to take a backseat to queer history. In 40 years it will probably be more like demipansexual awareness month.

[@marcpootmans7454]

That's one of the best, maybe THE best modified classical songs I've heard. Super! Very alive. I very much enjoyed it!

[@rebeccaatkinson7291]

Listen to Bach and Fugue in D minor by Johann Sebastian Back or Joy to Jesus desiring I think that's what its called I'll try to find it on utube

[@ClemensKindermann]

@@rebeccaatkinson7291 "Bach and Fugue"? "Johann Sebastian Back"? Do you happen to mean "Toccata and Fugue" and "Johann Sebastian Bach"?

[@crow-jane]

@@rebeccaatkinson7291 You mean “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”, presumably. It’s pretty. I loved it when I was in middle school. It’s quintessential Bach, if sort of basic, and pretty much anyone with a working knowledge of “classical” music is aware of it. All this to say that citing it like it’s some abstruse thing you know about while getting the title wrong is not the flex you think it is.

[@ptorq]

Technically baroque rather than classical, but ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIGZd2qVjZqkiLM You're welcome.

[@jackrickardmusic3161]

This made me smile so much 😊 Wonderful arrangement and captivating playing! Well done and thanks for sharing

[@genghi5khan]

Agree. Made my day.

[@rebeccaatkinson7291]

You're verrrry welcome fouldnt help myself

[@theonlyfry]

One of the coolest things I've ever heard! Great Job!

[@stevehofmann9525]

THAT was a lot of fun. I think I will listen again.

[@grinpick]

Very cool. Having a good view of the artist's hands definitely enhanced my listening pleasure. I'm no Beethoven scholar but it sounded to me like the arranger borrowed liberally from sources other than just "Fur Elise."

[@AtumAten]

This is amazing.

[@AndromedaCripps]

I love it!!! Especially the genius little chromatic neighbor chord trill in place of the chromatic beginning of the melody- that’s so clever and brings so much individual character to this arrangement; not even just bringing in so much ragtime style, which it does, but even within that, bringing in personal style. Very nice ✨

[@Mr.Lunafish]

The algorithm has done well this day by bringing me to this majestic work of art. I didn't know how badly I needed this until I heard it. Well done!

[@kmwwrench]

Cool. My sister used to torment me by playing Fur Elise over and over. Maybe if it had sounded like this, I wouldn't have minded.

[@rosezingleman5007]

All of us kids had to learn an instrument. My eldest sister was assigned to the piano and played Fur Elise endlessly and miserably. I was the fourth child and was sent to lessons lugging a full size violin at the age of seven. I did keep at it until I was forced to sell the instrument to pay for a car repair in college. :-( (Still mourning that loss forty years later.) Sending this video to my sister of course.

[@laze1000]

Me who knows nothing about music: ah yes I am very familiar with ragtime

[@wadabid6165]

Lol same im sad

[@Juplers]

This is closer to boogie and early jazz than ragtime, still a great arrangement

[@czecherst]

Great! My gramma (who played piano for silent films) used to give church hymns the "ragtime treatment!" How about a well known classical music piece done in klezmer style?

[@Philobiblion]

I communicate with Beethoven in my lucid dreaming, and I can tell you that Ludwig not only approves, but thinks that this genre might be the secret for a breakthrough opera. He's on it.

[@JoelSjogren0]

Lolol ask him if he can tell you about an unwritten symphony

[@megathighs8764]

Yeah…

[@rebeccaatkinson7291]

I believe it I'm still here but very Ill and I'm very intuitive had premonitions since childhood(by the way with only few exceptions) childhood was the happiest time of my life

[@Dacronhai]

The logical conclusion of using your dreams as a source

[@Pooh_Hoo79]

This is so FREAKIN AMAZING, it’s a crime to not play it at every town square 👏👏👏👏

[@emilysampson5583]

What a wonderful arrangement!

[@HayTatsuko]

Ludwig is surely bopping in his grave to this. What a lovely arrangement and rendition!

[@demp11]

You managed to make a song I got sick of years ago because it was everywhere and made a masterpiece out of it, love it!

[@octoberlassie]

This makes me so happy

[@awaitingthetrumpetcall4529]

I couldn't help but smile as I watched and listened. Ragtime style is brilliant. I wonder why it was called 'rag time'.

[@Chesemiser]

Its called ragtime due to its "ragged" or syncopated rhythm but I would need to do way more music theorying to actually explain this than I'm gonna do sorry.

[@Natatattatification]

Don’t know how accurate this is, but I was told it came from the old brothels, where someone would play music to entertain the men during the time all the prostitutes were on their periods (aka “being on the rag”) Thus, “rag time”

[@awaitingthetrumpetcall4529]

@@Natatattatification Yikes... That makes sense!

[@Chesemiser]

@@Natatattatification I haven't heard this one but I don't know if I want it to be true or not

[@bluecatbabe]

“A rag” meant a practical joke. Ragging” was teasing. From 19th century - it survives in U.K. student “Rag Weeks”

[@woodstoney]

I was amazed by that very creative rendition of that "Classic" song! Very well played!!

[@cherylsibson2529]

I used to play Fur Elise when I was a kid in troubles, it helped. Great version!

[@dottiebaker6623]

Thanks for putting this BIG SMILE on my face! I needed that!

[@BadgerOff32]

This was bonkers, and I loved it! Imagine playing it like this during Beethovens time. It would have blown their minds!

[@b00psn00t]

I love this sonic level!

[@hannahmcaleer6283]

This is incredible!!!!

[@johngracey5480]

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!

[@markuhler2664]

I love picturing old masters at their keyboard playing updated versions of their songs like this, or modern rock/blue/jazz/whatever mixed in with their classics. I think John Belushi on SNL did that with Beethoven.

[@cassandradady8353]

Hot Damn. I love Fur Elise, and this just takes it to another level. :)

[@Arariel3]

Perhaps the best rendition of Fur Elise I have ever heard.

[@richinoable]

So often the strength of a composition is revealed when it's set in a different genre/format. So fun!

[@Rombizio]

This was amazing. Beyond my skill level but I can appreciate the effort put into this arrangement.

[@nikrusty]

Superb. So well composed and played. Made it funky!

[@mexico53ify]

At last I can listen to it again. Usually I groan when I hear the opening bars...now this arrangement I can love!!!!

[@kingsleyabrokwah3930]

This is insanely underrated! This is seriously impressive stuff!

[@HartAngel5]

All the movements and everything! You are awesome!

[@mcervantes362]

I so LOVE this performance and arrangements! Good on you.

[@rogerclark9285]

Wonderful rendition. Sounds like it belongs in a 40s movie.

[@Dungeon47]

Everything is done right here. Right down to the camera angle. Outstanding.

[@rumbuzz1]

I was literally applauding from the other side of the screen! This works well in Flamenco Rumba guitar too....

[@midoriya-shonen]

I just got a massive grin on my face!

[@deniseroe5891]

I played Fur Elise for UIL solo and ensemble back in 1974. Still have the sheet music from it. Cool rendition.

[@chopin2747]

What a clear and soft touch

[@hurricanekate6839]

I love it! (and I also love the traditional "Fur Elise". Very well done!

[@eric-seastrand]

The algorithm brought me here. I’m glad it did. Bravo!

[@erictran5680]

Pretty sure I'd pay my life savings to see Beethoven live react to this.

[@crow-jane]

So are we paying a necromancer or building a time machine?

[@WhosKitzo]

Necromancer seems easier, there's plenty of those around

[@theprinceofdarkness4679]

Even if we could time travel Beethoven was deaf Also necromancy is a tricky business

[@markandroes537]

When Scot Joplin meets Beethoven. Excellent

[@garynielsen7967]

I loved it. Beethoven would be proud! BRAVO!!

[@joanneboag5993]

Absolutely fabulous on a beautifully tuned and toned piano!!! Bravo! Well done!!!!

[@MSSynsyterGates]

Man this is so good.

[@panamared3681]

Actually an excellent tutorial on the methodology to convert any given melody and chord progression into swing

[@larrypatterson3957]

Fantastic arrangement! Well-played, also!

[@indigowolf556]

This little video chest popped up in the middle of nowhere. And I loved it. I love the classical with the ragtime jazz. Phenomenal. 👍

[@Procedentesinvictoria]

Perfectly delightful! Thank you for the wonderful video!

[@courag1]

Beethoven Boogie Woogie! How inventive. Love it!

[@simbatwin6342]

This arrangement is so well produced and catchy

[@feyindecay912]

awesome stuff, and thanks for leaving the small mistakes in - gotta leave some hope for people who are still learning XD

[@clairebamber9608]

Love it! So good when someone has the skills to rearrange a classic and produce something of true quality. 🎹🎶👍

[@lauradonaldson7772]

I feel so...incompetent...fantastic job!

[@joanhoffman3702]

This just showed up in my YT feed and I decided to check it out. I’m glad I did! Loved it!

[@lokovodo]

my fav piano vid of all time

[@nathansanchez51]

I've never grooved to anything so much in my life! Well done!

[@martymckay8978]

Sounds so right.

[@karenheartoriginal3783]

Shucks I wish I’d found this sooner. Twas my first recital piece but this young man is a genius… I love it!

[@rgjerde53]

Loved it. Now we need to see it done in rock, country & western, pop, bluegrass, and any other genre someone is talented enough to do. Not sure it is possible, but the challenge is made.

[@1234cheerful]

You took the "stodgy" right out of Beethoven. Did NOT expect that. It's a pretty piece if a bit tranquilizing for me as written, but you and Ethan gave it a forthright presentation, not at all shy. Subbed!

[@nctunes]

Beautiful. Wishing nothing but good for you.

[@rwilliamchong]

Fur Elise is the Wonderwall of piano

[@frithandinle]

Was suffering a bad bout of acid reflux, but this made me smile. Absolutely love it

[@EterPuralis]

Calcium tablets are your friend

[@goodmorning2386]

Hope you’re feeling a bit better!

[@Iosaiv]

They really had the groove back in the day.

[@voiceofjeff]

What an awesome rendition, the best I've ever heard! Thank you for making me smile tonight!

[@aviatordave1]

That was fantastic!!! Well done!!!

[@littlethiefluka]

this reminds me a little bit of 'sing sing sing' by benny goodman, one of my favorite songs and für elise is another favorite song of mine, also one of the first songs i played for piano recitals and now this rendition is a new favorite of mine ❤

[@titomalinda3989]

This is beautiful! Well done!

[@tipring6956]

Cool! Reminds me of the funky rendition of 'A 5th of Beethoven' (Walter Murphy band) back in the 70's.

[@awaredeshmukh3202]

Ayy I love that piece!

[@weirdojo2392]

The hair on my arm slowly rose more and more as the video changed genres from classical to ragtag/jazz with that SWEET walking baseline!

[@JonAnderhub]

Nice job!

[@Tkon321]

I saw this in an old time piano competition on KZbin, blew my mind.