Scott Joplin's Solace (A Mexican Serenade)

Truly a beauty. Some of the modulations sound almost Schubertian - I think Joplin is still vastly underrated - especially by pianists.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Scott
• Joplin
• Piano
• Solace
• Mexican
• Serenade

[DoctorSapperstein]

great job !

I am stuck in European classical stuff and these tempos are a bit strange for me - I like watching you to help my feel

[alanlit101]

@DoctorSapperstein -- thanks. I, too, was brought up on the classics -- which I still love and play (you can never get to the bottom of them no matter how often you play them). Joplin, I have found, Is a composer you just have to trust, lean back, and go with --

Alan

[PutaCaliente]

maybe its the sound recording quality, but i would've appreciated a bit more contrast in dynamics and some more rubato... but of the 5-6 interps ive listened to on youtube, this is the best.

Some parts could've used more pedal, but, again, that's a matter of personal preference.

[alanlit101]

Thanks for the kind words. Believe it or not I was trying to overplay the dynamics - the recorder I have (or the codecs I use) totally flattens the dynamics out --- frustrating !! The rubato (or lack there of) is, of course, totally my own take -- which is, of course, what makes making music such a satisfying experience.

-- Alan

[bng44270]

what a job on a great Joplin piece. This guy's fingers seem as light as air!!!! Kudo's!!!!!!

[alanlit101]

Thank you, I am far from Joplin expert and I am still trying to understand his language -- but I give it my best shot.

When I hear Joplin I hear an echo of Franz Schubert (don't task me why) so I try to bring that out. Like Schubert I think Joplin had technical limitations, and, like Schubert, one is tempted to ignore them and luxuriate in the sound. If you got any of that feeling then I am happy,

Thanks,

Alan

[Mr512austintexas]

You did a wonderful job on this beautiful, melancholy tune. I thought your interpretation was beautiful - relaxed, thoughtful and expressive. I'm learning to play piano myself, and you are an inspiration. Thanks for sharing this piece, and thanks to the great Scott Joplin for writing such gorgeous music.

[zombiegorilla1141]

rook move bro it's wayyy too fast

[NusiaKaro]

It's a very beatiful ...

[mattwalkerpianist]

Very well played. I prefer to play it in a slower, more dreamy way with more rubato but that's just down to interpretation.

[trombonecrhs]

@alanlit101 wonderfully played, its too bad that you could barely hear the changes in dynamics...

[marginallymental]

The third melody in Joplin's Solace is some of the most beautiful American music ever written, encompassing so much lonely emotion, and giving bite and truth to that line in The Sting, where it was used: "You know me. I'm just like you. It's 2 a.m. and we both don't know anybody."

[renshall]

Beautiful. The second half of this piece, though technically difficult, needs to be played with the timing and tempo to bring out the feeling. Which you did admirably.

Bravo!