Composer

:

Virgil Thomson

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Rag

Compose Date

:

1943 - 1944

Average_duration

:

1:48

"Ragtime Bass" is a composition by American composer Virgil Thomson. It was composed in 1927 and premiered on March 10, 1928, at the Coolidge Auditorium in Washington, D.C. The piece is a solo piano work and is divided into three movements. The first movement, "Moderato," is characterized by a steady, syncopated bass line that is reminiscent of ragtime music. The melody is simple and repetitive, with occasional flourishes and variations. The overall mood is playful and lighthearted. The second movement, "Andante," is more introspective and melancholy. The bass line is still present, but it is more subdued and serves as a foundation for a more complex melody. The harmonies are more dissonant, and the overall mood is more contemplative. The final movement, "Allegro," returns to the playful, upbeat mood of the first movement. The bass line is more complex, with rapid-fire runs and syncopated rhythms. The melody is more virtuosic, with fast runs and arpeggios. The overall effect is one of joyful exuberance. "Ragtime Bass" is a prime example of Thomson's unique style, which blended elements of American folk music, classical music, and modernist techniques. The piece is notable for its use of syncopation, which was a hallmark of ragtime music, as well as its use of dissonant harmonies and complex rhythms. Despite its modernist tendencies, however, the piece remains accessible and enjoyable to a wide range of listeners.

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