It would be appropriate to devote attention this spring to one of several gorgeous flower-named piano rags by Hal Isbitz. Forget-Me-Not (1993), from Isbitz’ Marigolds folio, reminds me of the piano music of Robert Schumann, especially Carnival: Isbitz’ harmonic vocabulary is lushly Romantic, and each section of Forget-Me-Not is like a rhythmically independent vignette. Section A is permeated with a skipping, march-like rhythm (pictured above); section B has declaratory chords answered by melodic phrases in the bass register; sections C and D—in warm E-flat major—are themselves like miniature nocturnes.
Other pieces in Isbitz’ Marigolds folio include the melodious piano rags Queen Anne’s Lace and Aquamarine, and the rhapsodic, ethereal Tango Fantasy and Romanza: A Concert Tango. To purchase sheet music, the composer may be contacted at hal@silcom.com.
