"RAG-TIME"in WALTZ OF THE TIMES:Kiesling, Brooklyn 1901 Start Price USD 9.99 Current Price USD 9.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, August 15, 2008 End Time Friday, August 22, 2008 Location Duluth, Minnesota See more about '"RAG-TIME"in WALTZ OF THE TIMES:Kiesling, Brooklyn 1901' Description WALTZ OF THE TIMES: "Characteristic Medley Waltz Combining the DREAMY WALTZ, THE RAG-TIME AND THE -- GAY"; Composed and published by S.G. Kiesling, Brooklyn NY 1901 Here's a piece of Ragtime esoterica with clues to the evolution of the term "ragtime" and its early waltz (3/4) adaptations. This piece is obviously a vanity publication by Mr. Kiesling. It's done, by the way, in first class fashion -- good heavy stock, a two-color cover, the newer 20th century font, all nicely-spaced on six pages, six systems per page. The three circles illustrations on the cover (see enlarged scan) match Mr. Kiesling's triple approach to the waltz, and he labels his three themes by number, each designated (in caps) by his three waltz variations. A careful analysis of this lengthy piece produces a more detailed analysis, as follows: The work is scored in the keys of F and B-flat major. The opening theme carries a 6/8 time signature; the other themes 3/4. Mr. Kiesling has scored his dynamics carefully, and in the opening theme has scored pedaling as well. It's a complex sequence in a work of only moderate difficulty. I break it down like this: A 16)    BB' (composer's "#1-DREAMY")    CC(16)    DD (composer's "#2 -RAG TIME")    D'D' (8va)    Interlude(4)    EE' (composer's "#3 - THE GAY")    FF    Coda (12)    BB'   Finale (21 bars).  Yes, it's a busy piece. The "RAG TIME" (his caps) section uses some syncopating devices not found in other syncopated waltzes of the time (e.g. Joplin's Bethena.) Half the measures in this 16-measure basic theme place the R.H. chords on the afterbeat of the strong 3/4 bass figure.  And the composer places the melody in a treble thumb-line below these afterbeat chords. Very nice. Tricky. Regarding the waltz variation Mr. Kiesling names "THE GAY" -- the (bottom) cover illustration indicates this version would be played at an elegant (white) affair. I have never seen this usage before. Note that the word is used as a noun: the Gay. My Webster II dictionary (1945) gives only two definitions under "noun:" a gay person or pastime, or a toy or ornament -- both obs.  This usage might have been a regional colloquialism, or maybe simply Mr. Kiesling's brainstorm. Perhaps some Collector out there on eBay knows more about the etymology of this word than I can offer. Scholars will note, by the way, that the composer hyphenates RAG-TIME the word on the cover, but uses two words, no hyphen, inside. This copy's in good condition, the spine sealed (inside) in a matching white tape, the turning edges tightened in clear tape. The spine of the booked inner pages is intact. The cover is fine except for slight fraying on the turning edge. Max Morath     Place a Bid!