Listening (Maple Leaf Rag)

This composition is a change of pace from the pieces we have listened before. With the introduction of the ragtime genre into America Music there was a wide group of musicians that created pieces that followed the syncopated style. The interesting part of this song is the melodic lines that create the up-beat theme. I feel that there is a connection between this piece and the works of Stravinsky and Debussy. The rhythmic lines that have accent marks on off beats are prevalent in both pieces. While they are two different genres these composers can learn from each and adapt this style to fit into their own piece. I liked how Joplin pieces were broadcast towards a wider audience, rather than just to the wealthy educated.