'Graceful Ghost Rag' by William Bolcom - Barron Ryan

[@plmthrdgrnd]

Finally found a guy who actually "doesn't drag" notes. Wonderful!

[@palamabron2481]

The definition of bittersweet. Lemme at that like button.

[@connorwilde1471]

So mournful and deep. Like a lost soul escaping reality to relive all of his happy memories, only to wake up and find everything he loved is gone.

[@rogelio2ify]

Wonderful comment.

[@BFDT-4]

Best comment, and right on the ball for what I'm feeling now. You did good, Connor.

[@tracyhardyjohnson1315]

YES

[@vondernacht]

😂

[@담께Kathy]

너무나 싯구절 같은 댓글이십니다 더 감동이네요 전문 평론가 신듯❤❤❤

[@deanmermell9098]

I saw William Bolcom perform this a few nights ago, in a show he did with wife Joan Morris at Piedmont Piano in Oakland. This is the closest version I've heard to what he does, very beautiful. He didn't swing it at all. Yes, he wrote it for his father, who he said was a great dancer. I can tell you for sure that I was not the only person crying in the room when he was finished.

[@prototropo]

Dean Mermell Wow-Thanks for sharing that experience, Dean. I usually end up teary-eyed, too, hearing this, and this young pianist is fantastic. I love all his recordings.

[@elliottdb]

That's really interesting. In Bolcom's recording of it, he really swings it.

[@daviduu2]

@@elliottdb No he does'nt

[@henkehakansson2004]

@@elliottdb He swings, drags, syncopates and dot-8ths it big time. For sure. It is somewhere here on YT. At 21:25 in this "whole album" recording from 1971, it's WB himself that plays. First and original recording of it by the composer himself. Note, that subsequent recordings of it, and live concerts with him, he's stiffed it up quite a bit. Here's the original...all other tunes are played by William Bolcom too, no less. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3a4n4aol92ld6c Besides all this, it is a RAG not a MARCH. Rag = drag, or ragged time. Ragtime is mostly old marches ragged up with syncopated, anticipated melodies, and timing. It isn't called Graceful Ghost March. It can be played as a "march" too, with stiffed up and swing-removed, but then it ain't any rag by any means.

[@henkehakansson2004]

@@daviduu2 See above comment, he swings and drags it big time on his original recording.

[@hyeonjiim]

My favorite rendition. 👍

[@MrJoehogan]

Alongside Joshua Rifkin, Barron actually gets it when it comes to the beauty and nuance of rag. Beautiful and emotional.

[@botzees]

This is the most *gracefully* I've ever heard this piece played. Many many thanks to you.

[@ElenasBarre]

This sounds so beautiful, Barron. 👏🔥💯❤️ Incredible performance!!! ❤🙏

[@ericlopez7120]

This piece is simply magnificent and beautiful. Bolcom composes a piece that is so smooth and clean, I suspect that lovers, admirers, and even protagonists of Ragtime will fall in love with this pearl. It has the excitement of Rag with a sophisticated touch of eloquence and allure that most piano works are simply missing.

[@MauriatOttolink]

All true.. but totally lacking in any trace of Ragtime. Paying too much obeisance to concert platform classical playing. Incredible pianist but no Ragger. If you don't have an ear for early jazz Rags, you won't hear it nor agree with me. Bet he's up with the best playing Beethoven.

[@Kai_Uhhh]

Pearl

[@MooPotPie]

Bolcolm's own performance of this piece recorded in 1971 remains the gold standard. No one else gets it right for the very reasons you cite. Shame I can't find it KZbin.

[@bobtaylor170]

MauriatOttolink , I disagree. It's extremely raggy. And marvelous.

[@msmoppett]

@@MooPotPie Fortunately it's here kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnmTgJSbdteJiqc And I agree with you, it is my favourite interpretation.

[@molly1117]

I've never heard this before--it made me tear up. Thank you!

[@PaulWhiteguitar]

August 2022 and still one of the best piano performances I ever heard. I watch this often as it makes me feel good.

[@rubix71]

Words fail to express the depth of these feelings... but with music like this, who needs words...? Many, many thank-yous.

[@Qufgpsmsqkq]

My favourite version of 'graceful ghost'

[@oldgypsytap]

Now THIS is the way it should be played. It is mournfully splendid! Makes my heart ache and tears flow.... Thank you Barron. exquisite!

[@TheBigCha]

Beautiful! Your rubato, your sensitivity, your musicianship are just touching! Thank you for this.

[@BarronRyan]

Charlie Hall thank you very much!

[@prototropo]

I agree with Charlie, Barron. Your performance skills awe me.

[@RobertDvorkinMusicStudios]

@Axel Bak Why so unkind? You could have said "I might have done it differently" or less hateful words to that effect. There's enough hostility in the world. Let's at least enjoy each other's music, even if we don't necessarily agree with a particular interpretation. @Barron Ryan I thought the performance was beautiful. Thank you.

[@Dizzyfingers2]

Without a doubt one of the best performances of this beautiful rag - ever ... simply incredible! Wow ...

[@JMarkBerry]

A magnificent piece! And so well played! Beautiful melody with melancholy. For someone who thought Joplin had composed all the great rags, I realized how little I knew when I heard this beautiful piece a few years ago.

[@nemoweber5616]

One of my all-time favorite songs! I was giving a friend of mine, Susan Freidman, a tape of Professor Longhair's music at a friend's house in the early 80's-- she showed up with her latest boyfriend, George Winston, and when he saw what l was giving her we hit it off-- he's a big fan of his-- it just popped into my mind to ask him if he had heard of a rather obscure song entitled " Graceful Ghost". He replied, " l'm working on it right now"! Naturally, this blew my mind, and probably his! So this anecdote is permanently attached to this wonderful song-- truly amazing that this masterpiece is not known by all!

[@rebeccaryanthomsen6951]

Beautiful! ❤🎶

[@neon9601]

My piano teacher played this for me yesterday 😭 it is the best thing I've ever heard it has remotivated me to keep practicing until I can get good enough to play this 😭😭 great job

[@BarronRyan]

Thank you; send me a recording when you've learned it!

[@Oomdaan11]

How's practising coming on?

[@neon9601]

@@Oomdaan11 coming on good!!! Not at graceful ghost rag level yet but getting up there! I performed Chopin prelude in e minor and c minor a couple days ago so I'm building up. Thank you for checking in haha

[@pearlgem6710]

May I say, this is a magnificent piece of music.

[@blueray7949]

Pearl Gem shouldn't you be out destroying evil gem monsters right now?

[@nimbuslion]

Mitchell Harvey or crying over Rose?

[@lapislazuli4090]

Hey... im under water with a useless poop... jasper. Can someone help me tho

[@blueray7949]

WubstepTurtle or watching Steven sleep?

[@robertmann6138]

Of course you think so pearl!

[@PaulWhiteguitar]

Listened to this again numerous times and it's not only perfect in technical ability but Beautiful in it's interpretation. I love this and will come back to listen many times. Bravo Barron

[@gbeachy2010]

I've heard this piece many times. Even tried to learn it, devilishly hard for a hunt and peck player like myself. Right at the start I heard something new - the beginning of the piece sounds like an ending. Sets up a haunting quality, yeah, I know, but still, you could not play this to open a concert but only as an exit. Very sweetly done.

[@joederbesy9796]

Killed it.

[@kiki21]

I am learning this piece and sounds very beautiful! Some piaists interprete the rhythms differntly. I love your rendition the best. Thank you!

[@savejoplin]

When I discovered this piece a few weeks ago I searched for all the renditions I could find. This is definitely my favourite, you have the tempo and articulation of the notes just right. Beautifully played.

[@prototropo]

savejoplin Agree completely. I cannot hear this performance often enough.

[@TheRedHoodie]

When you feel the song so hard, you close your eyes and forget there’s a video. Thank you again, Barron. I’ve heard many versions of this song but this, my first exposure, will always be my favorite.

[@BarronRyan]

Youre very kind, thank you!

[@louisekerz6909]

I play this every day to remind me of a man of charm, wit, grace ,immense humanity, and he danced too. Love to Lewis C from Louise H. 2/3/20

[@prototropo]

Barron Ryan, thank you so much. Your technique is entrancing, and with tender conviction. I’ve listened to this more times than I deserve. But I’ll be back.

[@BarronRyan]

Thank you. You're always welcome to return.

[@sandrataylor444]

So beautiful, haunting and simply lovely.

[@ferociousgumby]

I found an old video of Barron Ryan playing this piece in a competition. It was much faster, with a few wrong notes. How far he has come in interpreting this haunting piece! He has found the groove, as they used to say, and brought out all its melancholy beauty.

[@baddognobiscuit2]

For reasons I cannot explain, rags seem to inch their way into my soul. How lovely then that I have discovered William Bolcom on this frosty January morning. Thank you.

[@lynncai587]

This tune was played in my dance class many years back. Glad that I finally learned the name today!

[@kaylllake1]

It is a perfect way to play it in these times.

[@yullanvalor3380]

Read my poem.

[@stevefranks6541]

Greetings, Now that is rag and it should be played. Elegant. Beautiful!

[@PaulWhiteguitar]

Just listening now in 2021 and it's as wonderful as ever

[@09onca]

Slower, but more graceful. Thank your nice performance!

[@jetaboveclouds]

Perfect. The proper speed and wonderfully played! Balcolm dedicated this to his father. Thank you so much- a pleasure to hear. I love playing this piece too!

[@jjm103111]

This sound makes me feel relieved..

[@takingcareofbusiness556]

Very touching. Kind of melancholy.

[@elizabethlocke8712]

This is my favorite version of this piece. I love the way he plays it.

[@doggiees6193]

man my teacher told me to find a song by William Bolcom and I found your video,no joke I already was on Amazon after 30 seconds of this video, the way you play it is absolute perfection and I’ve learnt 2 of the pages so far, hope to learn the whole song soon.

[@Velkie1]

Absolutely beautiful. Probably my favorite rag. And Barron Ryan's rendition is perfect.

[@historicalswingdanceorchestra]

Wonderful peace, wonderfully played!

[@s1lam]

I heard this song on the radio today and loved it. There’s a melody in there that reminds me of yesterday by the Beatles

[@lectocom]

A nicely nuanced performance. Very sensitive playing.

[@jcdunn2004]

This is a perfect rendition of Graceful Ghost. I just ordered the CD on Amazon. Thank you. I also loved Paul Jacobs version from 1980 which is when I first heard it played.

[@gajamatsuda]

So beautiful. Best performance of Graceful Ghost. Please come and play in Tokyo!

[@TheRedHoodie]

I can’t even remember how I found this tune orignially but I’m so glad I’ve finally found the soul of this performance...and it means so much to me now, more than it ever did before. Thank you, Barron.

[@stevenhancoff8036]

I recorded my guitar transcription of "Graceful Ghost" years ago. Wondrous piece of music.

[@mikemiller7137]

Yes, this is the best, played just right.

[@nickyhw7934]

Beautifully played. So many people play it too quickly. This is PERFECT!!!

[@PaulWhiteguitar]

Yep me again and love it in 2023. This is becoming an annual tradition lol

[@SchneiderGeorge]

An impeccable performance of what is, for me, the most beautiful rag ever composed. Thank you!

[@BarronRyan]

Thank YOU!

[@toropovandrey3088]

Очень красивое исполнение! Большое спасибо!❤

[@giuseppecento]

Gran dono intendersi di musica. Ricordo ancora quando 30 anni fa, ritornando da volare in delta, in auto mettevi robe strepitose

[@jimthompson606]

A lovely performance of this touching Rag.

[@daniellesavage4001]

Thanks for sharing. This is my favorite version on youtube as well.

[@MrPlankinton]

A very Graceful tempo that would be approved by the old Ragtime Masters. Thank you so very much for Not playing ragtime fast.

[@yellowhedgehog8582]

Just beautiful and sensitive sounds

[@GotYourWallet]

Beautiful song!

[@nymsmacgregor7232]

Incredible....!!

[@evnchw]

Beautifully played and so expressive!

[@aceystar1478]

I don't know why. I have a 2 year attraction to this song. I started thinking of it recently.

[@richardhenry3965]

Lovely, evocative melody beautifully rendered. Thank you.

[@SimonEnqvistPiano]

I really like how you play it with a bit slower tempo, its refreshing!

[@jartocjanror6591]

Thank you. You have truly moved me & touched my heart with your wonderful playing. I can feel the soul & the love. From the bottom of my heart~

[@tngus9904]

so beautiful performance! I like your interpretation. thank you so much 😆👍✨

[@Currabell]

Delightful interpretation.

[@PolishRatEuropean]

Such a beautiful piece that I wish I could play for my life.

[@michaelharrison2917]

This is an excellent interpretation of a really nice piano piece.

[@Ragtimer95]

This has been my favorite redition of this rag I've found so far. Good job!

[@dihydrogenmonoxide5994]

I love this rag so much. I am immediately brought to tears by the grazioso section. My heart is filled with nostalgia as I remember my wonderful childhood memories.

[@LillyC68]

I love that Rag. And the way you played it... :) Thanks for sharing!

[@alessia2275]

You don't know how much I love this.

[@IPhonola]

Beautifully played, beautifully photographed.

[@kimrach]

Soooo good

[@redlantern3371]

Beautiful music, beautifully played. 💙

[@RODNICO1]

Barron! Your so talented! Keep up this amazing work!

[@Jamie_L.]

I found this this song long ago because of Pearl, fell in love with it, then a while later, bought it on iTunes. I've come to visit it again. Still beautiful

[@ayodeler39]

I woke up to BBC Radio London Graceful Ghost caught my imagination. So... amongst others thank to KZbin I found your rag version. Thank you.

[@mrflinstone57]

It took me months to learn this beautiful song. Respect to this man!!

[@AndresWalsh]

Nicely played indeed.

[@dalcassian8351]

Lovely. Both swing and this interpretation

[@scottmantooth8785]

have always found this song very beautiful since first hearing it

[@fine-n-dandy]

Sometimes this melody will get stuck in my head all day and I'll just have to listen to it

[@davidnave2919]

I enjoy playing this piece . This performance is elegant and inspires me on how to play it better.

[@kihong8271]

I love your touching and expression skill❤

[@LaurelRogers]

Amazing music I have loved since I was a child.

[@94F19]

Wonderful interpretation. I was moved by your play. Thank you.

[@liamjensen2059]

Beautiful, thanks so much

[@norkini9960]

I’m playing this for my senior recital and it was a pain to learn lol all the naturals and double flats just added to the madness!

[@elijahasmussen130]

One of my very favorites. Before hearing this, I never thought that a ragtime-style composition could be so lamenting, to be honest.

[@shishirthadani1696]

Beautifully nostalgic

[@Alex-343]

amazing

[@ujellydough]

i found this gem on 88.9 cap radio. thanks victor foreman

[@calledtactical4967]

im playing this song right now, and I love it

[@tremendousOt]

Beautiful. A Masterpiece. Wonderful Playing and Interpretation.

[@bobtaylor170]

Wonderful. Maybe my favorite piece of music. And played beautifully.

[@davidcraft7342]

A magnificent rendition of the piece, balancing the need to maintain tempo with the need to render your own emotion and interpretation. Definitely a keeper, sir.