"The artist's job is to be a witness to his time in history."
AUTHOR: Robert Rauschenberg
“An artists creates art as a response to what he/she experiences during the course
of a lifetime.”
COMPOSER
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| "Bed of Chrysanthemums" by artist Claude Monet |
The Chrysanthemum, presented by Scott Joplin with the subtitle, "An Afro-American Intermezzo, " is a piano Intermezzo (a short or light instrumental composition for piano) written in 1904 dedicated to "Miss Freddie Alexander, Little Rock, Arkansas" a reference to a young lady of 19 that Joplin would marry (his second wife) during the summer who would tragically die of pneumonia just over twelve weeks after they were married. The origin of the name "The Chrysanthemum" is not known, but Joplin frequently used the names of trees and flowers for his works.
Although Ragtime was very popular it was often seen as frivolous in nature and Joplin strove to have the form taken seriously by attempting to integrate classical formats into this sycopated rhythmic style (thus the use of the term "Intermezzo"). To that end he also integrated classical music styles with ragtime in a ballet and two operas he composed.
Just because The Chrysanthemum has syncopated rhythms does make its style a "rag." Technically it is not a piano rag because there are no syncopated patterns that extend over a bar line, and the only recurring syncopation (measures 2,4, etc. of section A and measures 3-4, etc. of section B) is at the middle of a pattern and within one bar line. Many artists and scholars have differing opinions on this point because like a rag it contains four sections, a common trait of classic ragtime, the fourth of which is a full-length repeated interlude and also follows the harmonic and modulation structure. Even though the slightly "raggy" rhythms are present, Joplin intended this piece to be an Intermezzo.
The melody line in the opening strain implies many possible harmonic directions, some of which are explored in the repeats with counter-lines. The B section provides relief from the moving line along with stark dynamic contrast. The trio is in line with other Joplin trios of that period, stated largely in thirds and marked dolce, or "sweetly." The D repeated section serves as an interlude before a final repeat of C, and successfully draws on the relative minor to great effect. In comparison to most piano rags, The Chrysanthemum is musically more chromatic. (http://www.perfessorbill.com/pbmidi15.shtml)
http://www.mfiles.co.uk/scores/The-Chrysanthemum.htm
http://www.primeshop.com/MIDILibrary/ragsmid/jcrysnth.mid
http://www.ragtimemusic.com/midifile/chrysnth.mid
http://kreusch-sheet-music.net/noten/KSM_ScottJoplin_The_Chrysa_000_87977.pdf
GENERAL MUSIC
http://www.primeshop.com/MIDILibrary/ragsmid/jcrysnth.mid
http://www.ragtimemusic.com/midifile/chrysnth.mid
http://kreusch-sheet-music.net/noten/KSM_ScottJoplin_The_Chrysa_000_87977.pdf
GENERAL MUSIC
01. MUSICAL: OLIVER
.......a. INTRODUCTION TO THE STORY and CHARLES DICKENS
.......b. STARTED THE FIRST PART OF THE MUSICAL
.......a. INTRODUCTION TO THE STORY and CHARLES DICKENS
.......b. STARTED THE FIRST PART OF THE MUSICAL
ADV. STRINGS
SPRING CONCERT (THURSDAY; MAY 30TH) PREPARATION
JUNE 5th 5:00 PM (4:30 CALL TIME) DEDICATION FOR PATRICK'S GARDEN
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION TO PLAY "STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN"
JUNE 5th 5:00 PM (4:30 CALL TIME) DEDICATION FOR PATRICK'S GARDEN
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION TO PLAY "STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN"
BEG. STRINGS
SPRING CONCERT (THURSDAY; MAY 30TH) PREPARATION
WORKED WITH CHOIR STUDENTS
WORKED WITH CHOIR STUDENTS