Eugenia (1906) - Scott Joplin (With Score / Sheet Music)

Details

Description

After quite a few years of debate decades after Eugenia's publication, some scholars suggest that the work had been named after a street in St. Louis, rather than a particular woman (both naming methods a common practice during the time) that was some two blocks behind Tom Turpin's Rosebud Café according to a 1904 map. However, after some examination of the piece it has became evident that the two plants bookending the cover were of the Eugenia variety, and since that is consistent with the flora-based names of many other Joplin rags, (Maple Leaf, The Chrys., Rose Leaf, etc.) it is likely the basis for having named this one as well.

A prime example of Joplin "coloring outside of the lines," Eugenia serves as the first major stepping stone towards what many refer to as Joplin's most artistic era from 1906 to 1910. In spite of his use of the common cakewalk/march pattern with a repeated interlude in the "C section," this rag transcends many old ideas that help it stand out in his catalog of works. For one, the pattern of repeated bass octaves present throughout the piece provide fresh continuity while the use of repeated phrases starting on off beats results in more interesting accumulative phrases. And most importantly, the interlude in the "C section," while not clearly a full-fledged section itself, comes to a complete 16 bars in length, allowing it to perform it's classical development techniques in a sophisticated manner.

With both brilliant methods presented in one piece, it is no doubt that Scott Joplin's "Eugenia" stands to this day as one of his most prideful rags to ever show case the sophisticated side of syncopation he sought for. It should be also noted that this piece marks as yet another rag to not be published by John Stark, as it was offered during a period of cooler relations between the two. In Will Rossiter's case, he must have been more than ecstatic to have such name recognition associated with his company, which not only helped draw more attention to his firm but spread Joplin's name to the highlights of the Chicago skyline for the very first time.
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"Eugenia" - Classic Piano Rag - Pattern: Intro A A B B A Trio Int Trio Int Trio
Music by Scott Joplin, Published by Will Rossiter in 1906
Cover Artist: Unknown

Music description provided & written by Bill Edwards, learn more about it here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20220331025725/http://ragpiano.com/pbmusic_joplin2.shtml

Music performed by Guido Nielsen with his album "Scott Joplin: The Complete Works (Rags, Waltzes & Songs)"

℗ 2000 Basta Audio-Visuals
Producer: Piet Schreuders
Music Publisher: Basta Music
Performer: Guido Nielsen