Pianophilia

..and here are two rarities more from the "Novelty Era".

All the best,
Martin

Dear Martin,

Thank you so very much for the Eric Plessow Volume 2, as well as the superb transcriptions by Eddie Carroll and T.W. Thurban!! And such beautiful quality scans. I really appreciate your taking the time to share these with us. The musical quality is absolutely top-notch!

I remember T.W. Thurban's name. He was actually a ragtime pioneer in England; writing cakewalks and some ragtime as early as the 1890s. I've seen a number of his compositions, all dating from around the turn of the century. Seeing this transcription of "Tiger Rag" was a real surprise...and it's good too! I love the Harry Roy Orchestra as well. Their recordings of some ragtime tunes like "Porcupine Rag" by Charles L. Johnson are just super.

Again many thanks for sharing with the rest of us "syncophiles"! I'll get back to the scanner and find some new surprises for everyone too.

All Best,

Frank

Hello Friends,

In a recent post I pointed out that the early 1920s pop song "Nothin' But" by Ferde Grofe and Adam Carroll was stolen outright from James Scott's classic rag "Prosperity Rag." Now here is some proof, from scans of vintage piano rolls. If you listen to these rolls, you will find that the verse of "Nothin' But" is identical to the trio of "Prosperity Rag." Furthermore, the chorus of "Nothin' But" is identical to the second theme of "Prosperity Rag." This is one of the most outrageous musical thefts I have ever come across!

...more syncopation in the air...

Here are some novelty piano solos by Bill Krenz, who was one of the few original ragtime/novelty composers to live long enough to see the first ragtime revival in the 1950's. Many excellent pieces by Krenz were published in the 1930s; and then he wrote ragtime during the 1950s. His pieces are effective and fun to play. Enjoy!

...here are the Krenz pieces from the first ragtime revival (less "Poodle Rag" which I have a photocopy of and need to locate..will post that one a bit later)...

Herman Wasserman......unfortunately I can not find any biographical information on him, beyond he taught piano to Gershwin, and his transcription of the Rhapsody in Blue for solo piano was highly regarded. His transcriptions are superb and quite difficult to play.

Concert Paraphrase on "I Dream Too Much" by Kern Vienna, City of Dreams [transcription] Malcolm & Mr P

PS: Frank...following our discussion, very interested in The Man I Love paraphrase.

Hi Malc,

Happy to oblige! As all the other Wasserman transcriptions; beautifully scored and exceptionally difficult to play!

All Best,

Frank

I've posted quite a few original solos and transcriptions by Bob Zurke...here are 3 more. Zurke was a terrific pianist, and in Jelly Roll Morton's library of Congress recordings, Morton stated that Zurke was the only modern pianist who was "on the right track!" Sadly he died at a very young age.

Hunter L. Kahler was another talented novelty pianist, but unfortunately I know nothing about him. His best solo by far is "Originola" (the last piece in the "Novelty Solos" folio). In fact, compared to the rest of his output I always felt it was a little "too good," i.e. it sounds a lot more like something Frank Banta might have written. But it's a fabulous solo...should be part of the repertoire of everyone who enjoys novelty piano solos.