Composer

:

William Albright

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Average_duration

:

20:23

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

William Albright's "The Dream Rags" is a collection of three ragtime pieces for solo piano. The composition was completed in 1970 and premiered the same year at the University of Michigan. The three movements are titled "Sleepwalker's Shuffle," "Phantom Galop," and "Nightmare Fantasy Rag." The first movement, "Sleepwalker's Shuffle," is a lively and playful piece that captures the feeling of someone walking in their sleep. The syncopated rhythms and playful melodies create a sense of movement and energy, while the use of dissonance and unexpected harmonies adds a dreamlike quality to the music. The second movement, "Phantom Galop," is a fast-paced and virtuosic piece that showcases Albright's technical skill as a pianist. The galloping rhythms and intricate melodies create a sense of urgency and excitement, while the use of chromaticism and unexpected harmonies adds a sense of mystery and intrigue. The final movement, "Nightmare Fantasy Rag," is a dark and haunting piece that captures the feeling of a nightmare. The slow and mournful melody is accompanied by dissonant harmonies and eerie chromaticism, creating a sense of unease and tension. The use of unexpected pauses and sudden shifts in dynamics adds to the unsettling feeling of the music. Overall, "The Dream Rags" is a unique and innovative take on the traditional ragtime style. Albright's use of dissonance, unexpected harmonies, and chromaticism adds a modern twist to the genre, while the playful melodies and syncopated rhythms pay homage to the classic ragtime sound.

More....