New Piano Pieces: “Bach Meets Ragtime”
(Updated: May 2022) This article introduces pianists to an exciting new body of piano music -- Cory Hall's own arrangements of Bach's chorales, titled BACH MEETS RAGTIME: 10 Four-Part Chorales Arranged, Volume 2. CLICK HERE to order a hardcopy edition, or CLICK HERE to download a PDF. Composed in spurts throughout 2016-2021, this volume offers pianists refreshing and original renditions of selected four-part chorales by Bach in ragtime and related styles. Pianists will absolutely love these concert-style pieces!
BACH MEETS RAGTIME: 10 Four-Part Chorales Arranged, Volume 2 is a diverse and exciting collection of chorale arrangements for piano that remain true to Bach’s originals, yet are fully immersed in ragtime and related styles. These are ideal pieces for the studio and concert hall and are relatively difficult ranging from about Grades 6-10. Here is a short summary of each:
A Mighty Fortress - Gospel Rag (from Cantata 80) — A delightfully energetic ragtime version of one of the most famous of all hymns.
Christ, Our Lord, Came to the Jordan - Rag (from Cantata 7) — An irresistible and playful reading of a “modal” style chorale in the key of E minor. Listen to the video of this rag below!
The Splendid Day Has Arrived - Waltz (from Cantata 67) — An energetic waltz in the key of F-sharp minor which has a delightful “modal” flavor.
Salvation Now Has Come - Cake Walk (from Cantata 86) — Cake walk rhythms abound in this playful piece with repeated notes based on a popular Easter hymn in Bach’s day.
Rejoice Dear Christians - Divine Syncopations (from BWV 388) — A relaxed and highly expressive rag in “slow drag” style which abounds with syncopations.
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring - Etude (from Cantata 147) — An energetic, perpetual-motion 3:2 polyrhythm etude based on Bach’s most famous of all chorales.
We Christian People - Cool Swing (from Cantata 42) — Bach Chorales cannot possibly get any “cooler” than this jazzy arrangement!
With Peace and Joy I Now Depart - March macabre (from Cantata 83) — A very slow and morbid (and very rhythmic) rendition of a funeral chorale.
Luther’s Gospel Rag (from BWV 307) — The chorale known as “Luther’s Hymn” is injected with a good dose of syncopation and melodiousness!
What God Ordains Is Always Good - Hoedown (from Cantata 84) — This virtuosic and highly rhythmic theme and variation chorale is infused with western-style hoedown rhythms that leads to a rousing coda!
Sincerely, Cory Hall (D.M.A.) -- revised, May 2022
