Swipesy

Swipesy was written with Joplin's pupil Arthur Marshall in 1900 and its syncopated opening is uncannily reminiscent of Debussy's Golliwogg’s Cakewalk written many years later. Joplin's tutor book, the School of Ragtime, shows tremendous pride in his art form. In the opening remarks he comments: "That real ragtime of the higher class is rather difficult to play is a painful truth which most pianists have discovered. Syncopations are no indication of light or trashy music". He goes on to give detailed instructions and exercises as to the precise rhythmic subdivision of the music, as well as stating unequivocally, "never play ragtime fast at any time".

This arrangement was specially made for the album 'Preludes, Rags and Cakewalks' (MPR 005), performed by The Symphonic Brass of London conducted by Eric Crees. All of the transcriptions are new and original, making this a world premiere recording.