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GoForth Music Arrangements and original compositions for wind quintet and other chamber ensembles

Scott Joplin's 'Bethena' arranged for Wind Quintet (English Horn)

SM-000226917
Sheet music file
15.00 USD
PDF, 1.16 Mb (20 p.)

Description

Composer
Scott Joplin
Arranger
Darrell Goforth
Publisher
Darrell Goforth
Genre
Classical
Instrumentation
Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Cor anglais, Horn
Scored for
Quintet, Wind ensemble
Type of score
Full score, Parts
Key
G major
Duration
5'40"
Difficulty
Difficult
Year of composition
1905
Description
In June, 1904, Scott Joplin married his second wife, Freddie. Ten weeks later, Freddie was dead due to pneumonia.

Devastated both financially and emotionally, Joplin disappeared from view for several months. He reappeared in St. Louis, Missouri some months later and on March 6, 1905 published "Bethena".

Set in 3/4 time, it presents a somber theme alternating with variations in keys from G major, Bb major, F major, b minor and D major. It is a sadly poignant piece alternating with memories of happier times and the realisation that those times will never come again. Although written in waltz form, the influence of ragtime is still present.

"Bethena" is considered one of the best examples of the ragtime waltz and is a fitting memorial to Joplin's brief but happy marraige.
Upload date
06 Jun 2015

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