JOPLIN: Solace (A Mexican Serenade)

[@MrSquonkman]

Absolutely LOVE this slower tempo!!!

[@sherrybirchall8677]

That was so beautiful, so unhurried, so relaxing. Thank you. ❤

[@jonwhittingtonpiano2378]

Wonderfully played. About the only composition of his I havn't got. Yes the C section of the Fig Leaf Rag just takes many attempts and practice to play well and cleanly.

[@ktylol2693]

omg i love this so much!

[@adude394]

Beautifully done, sir!

[@EduardoMartinez-lo7ju]

Como mexicano, me encanta esta pieza, se las he tocado a mis abuelos y la disfrutan bastante, sobre todo a mi abuelo que es yucateco. La disfruto mucho de tocar cuando a veces tengo un día duro; solo tengo la duda de por qué Scott Joplin la llamó como una serenata mexicana, ya que para mí (conociendo la música de mi país) no me suena muy mexicana, de cualquier forma es una pieza muy bella. Gracias por compartirlo aquí en KZbin. Por último, das clases de piano por alguna plataforma digital fuera de EEUU?, soy de Ciudad de México, por si acaso me gustaría saber. Gracias

[@samdevray7083]

Hello BachScholar, If you (or someone) see this comment, I would like to know if purchasing your arrangements, via your site, is possible with French money

[@DoubleOpposite]

What's Joplin's most difficult rag to play in your opinion?

[@BachScholar]

I have no idea. This is because most rags have sections that vary a lot in difficulty. Like the A section in one rag may be difficult but the B section may be easy and the Trio section difficult and the D section easy. Or it could be a variation of this. For example, Fig Leaf Rag's A and B sections are pretty easy but the C section is almost unplayable for most pianists.

[@rogerg4916]

@@BachScholar I think that C section is unplayable only if you accept that quarter note equals 100 (on the first page) is what Joplin actually intended. This is incompatible with his instruction (also on the first page):"Do not play this piece fast". Could anyone actually play that C theme at that tempo then honestly claim that he wasn't playing fast? (There is no instruction to slow down for any section.) I think that metronome mark was put there by the publisher as a sales gimmick because that would be what the public expected to see on "ragtime" music. I've never seen a ragtime piece by any other composer that didn't have that metronome indication.

[@BachScholar]

It's even difficult if played slowly at half that speed. It's just difficult.

[@DoubleOpposite]

@@BachScholar Yes, I agree. Personally I find Fig leaf and Gladiolus to be the hardest rags. The C section in the cascades/maple leaf also deserves a mention. Its interesting how these pieces are maybe grade 8 ABRSM overall but have these significant difficulty spikes sometimes.

[@StoneChords]

Now if only you could add some wrong notes, randomized dynamics, excessive rubato, double octaves where none are written, whacky little rattled chords, and other ragtime atrocities -- you'd be as "good" as Lang Lang! (In all seriousness -- a lovely rendition: thank you!)

[@adude394]

Right there with you, @StoneChords! I've seen Lang Lang in concert (I believe he performed the Grieg with either the Baltimore or National Symphony in Hartford, Conn. some years ago). While his technique can't be denied, I've always gotten the feeling that he thinks he's a quite a bit more important than the music he's performing, and to me that's a complete turnoff.

[@StoneChords]

@@adude394 If you haven't heard Lang Lang's mangling of Joplin, check it out for the train wreck it is... Agreed, re: his enviable technique, but yes, he's also done some very anti-musical and downright ungainly things with many a staple piece.

[@HeplerConsulting]

@@StoneChords He added GLISSes on The Entertainer! It was awful!