The Favorite (Scott Joplin, 1904) [SJ25]

Details

Description

Scott Joplin - The Favorite

Style: Ragtime Two Step
Year: 1904
Form: Intro A A B B A C C D D
Keys: Bb/Gm/Bb/Eb/Eb

"The Favorite was actually possibly composed in 1899 (as per Brun Campbell who had reportedly spent time with Joplin that year) and sold to the small publishing house of A.W. Perry that same year ,even before John Stark's acquisition of the Maple Leaf Rag. Why it came out 5 years later is a bit of a mystery, especially given Perry's status as somewhat of a niche publisher, although with a good national reach. However, it can be speculated that Perry might have been reticent to chance release of a rag too quickly, should ragtime turn out to be a fad. Therefore, it was possibly tucked away until Joplin's fame was growing (he had left Sedalia by this time) and someone remembered or rediscovered this acquisition. It is clearly developed beyond the cakewalk writing that was still dominant in even 1900. The A section includes an unusual repeated triplet figure, making it a standout. In the B section, the figure in measures 5 through 8 indicate future possibilities realized in pieces like The Ragtime Dance (composed shortly thereafter), and even Euphonic Sounds. In the trio the melody is very sparse, so a bit of added flow has been added to enhance the left hand int his performance. It closes with what is clearly a march movement, tagged with the last four measures of the trio. The wedding of the cover to the title may not be entirely logical, since The Favorite could just as easily refer to horse racing as in The Easy Winners, published in 1901." (from ragpiano.com)

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