Solace - A Mexican Serenade, by Scott Joplin

Serene, reflective, and moody - not your typical bouncy rag!

In Solace (1909), Joplin abandons reliance on the safe "oom-pah" left-hand used in many earlier rags. The left hand participates in some of the melody, carries a tango rhythm throughout, and contributes to complex harmonies.

There are several recordings of Solace on YouTube already, and these run the gamut from strict to indulgent interpretation. I guess I'd say mine is on the indulgent side.

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Tags:

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• solace
• ragtime
• rag
• piano
• weeping
• willow
• scott
• solo
• cover
• jazz
• new
• orleans
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[GreenHat9]

I hope you do!

[43Meyrick1]

You have made this piece your own with a beautiful interpretation. It's a very difficult piece to play...I been slogging at it for over 30 years and can't get near this. Congratulations!

[GreenHat9]

@43Meyrick1

Thank you for the kind words! You will be interested to know that the YouTube performance of Solace that most moved me - and served as a model while I was learning the piece - is the one by Sue Keller. She's a magnificent performer, and has truly made this piece "her own".

[ComaTwin]

Nice....!

Just one question: @ 6:39-6:40, (5th measure before the end) , you are playing a C with your left thumb, I believe. I was just wondering if that was just a trivial mistake or if in your score the note is actually written as a C instead of a D.

[GreenHat9]

@ComaTwin

You are right! The mistake is in my performance, not in the score, although it was gracious of you to suggest that. Actually, there are several mistakes in this performance. Thank you for listening so closely and taking the time to write.

[suzearl]

I like your interpretation the best.

[GreenHat9]

@suzearl Thank you.

[cebukid70]

Excellent interpretation. I might work on this one next.

[43Meyrick1]

I've listened to Sue Keller many times and can see that she is a great pianist, but I am not keen on her jerky and sometimes hurried style of playing ragtime. I noticed that you do put some small jerks in your performance but the overall

impression is smooth and relaxed. Your piano has a very sweet tone and sounds the perfect thing in your wonderfully soothing rendition of Roberto Clemente.

[mundydog]

Thanks for memories of jeremy

[2131Elias]

Excellent performance of this beautiful Joplin´s gem! Congrats