Scott Joplin’s Weeping Willow (1903, published by Val. A. Reis of St. Louis) was one of the first piano rags I learned how to play. The first page is one of Joplin’s most melodically memorable. Ms. 13-14 of the A section, with its B7-Em chord change and aching melodic appoggiatura, is one of Classic Ragtime’s most subtly bittersweet moments. The piece’s printed dynamics—forte at the beginning of each section, save for section C (mezzo forte)—are puzzling and seem incongruent with the piece’s prevailing melodism. However, there are passages of exceptional strength and decisiveness (e.g. section D) which can appropriately be played forte. Dick Hyman’s recording of Weeping Willow has always been my personal favorite. Sheet music for Scott Joplin’s rags can be freely downloaded at imslp.org.
