I enjoy making music videos - it's become a relaxing hobby. When I made my first one about ten years ago, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing.
I still don't exactly know what I'm doing, but that hasn't stopped me.
It's not always easy to find visuals for the videos. I have spent (wasted) countless hours scanning the Internet for suitable images and/or copyright-free movie clips.
The average length of most of my videos is around two to four minutes - which isn't bad.
My latest video, Silks and Rags, is over six minutes and making it turned into an exasperating chore.
Fred S. Stone
Silks and Rags is a rare and delightful piano composition by Canadian/American ragtime composer Frederick St. Clair Stone (1873 - 1912), who was generally known as Fred S. Stone.
I recorded this piece long ago and never thought much about it. After recently finding my long-forgotten recording, I was really impressed at what a good composer Stone was.
Silks and Rags (published in 1901) is a waltz - - or rather a compilation of waltz tunes, some of which blend a deliciously unique array of rhythms and styles.
Stone utilizes the elegant traditional waltz form and eventually combines it with ragtime inspirations.
It was nearly impossible for me to find suitable visuals to compliment the music. There is the elegant formal waltz infiltrated with unconventional negro-inspired dances. And it has to convey the essence of the early 20th century.
I decided to incorporate visuals from around 1910 - 1915. And I decided that six minutes of photos would be too tedious, so I found a few movie clips of dances from that era.
My video effort is haphazard and possibly a bit tedious, but I admittedly like my interpretation of the music.
So far, I haven't found any other recordings of this piano piece.
Fred S. Stone is largely (and undeservedly) forgotten today - but he was once a very well-known pianist, composer, and conductor of ragtime music, mostly in the Detroit area.
Tragically, Stone was killed in a freak accident while trying to board a moving trolley car. He was thirty-eight years old.
Video is best viewed full-screen
Hi Jon... All your efforts are both brilliantly entertaining, and appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHi, Valerie - it's so good to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by. I sure hope things are going well. Big hugs to you and Charlie!
DeleteIt was interesting enough to keep me watching for the entire time. You find pictures and videos I wouldn't know were evn online. From such a different time. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm often surprised at the interesting things I find online. It's a lot of trouble searching for them, but usually worth the effort.
DeleteNot tedious in the least! As the waltz is one of my favorite genres, I really enjoyed this video. Stone's untimely death is, as you said, tragic.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Myra. The waltz is one of my favorite genres, too. It always lifts my spirits - and makes me wish I knew how to dance
DeleteWhat a magnificent thing it must be to play the piano as beautifully as you do. And the music you play! This was a feast for the ears and eyes. I loved it! Thank-you for broadening my horizons!:)
ReplyDeleteYour kind words made my efforts worthwhile. Thank you! Good music always nourishes my spirit and puts me in a good mood (...which is not an easy task...)
Deleteloved it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The more I listen to this composition, the more I like it.
DeleteThank you for making this video. I love your piano playing and the music that you chose to play. It must have taken a lot of time to find so many interesting and beautiful images to make this video.
ReplyDeleteI initially almost gave up making this video, because I couldn't find enough suitable pictures to go along with it. Fortunately I kept working at it and was finally pleased with the result. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteNot the least bit tedious!!! Really. I loved it. I wasn't familiar with the music, but something about it reminded me of silent movies. It encompasses so many different moods, it'd work well, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteAfter being away for a while, I was thrilled to see this post. To hear you playing the piano. It's awesome that you're turning some of your old recordings into videos like this, (a whole 'nother kinda impressive talent) but I hope you've been playing the piano again NOW. Nothing better to lift your spirits.
Take care, you talented man you. I hope you have a super weekend.
I never thought about it, but you're right - it would indeed make good music for a silent movie.
DeleteOne of my biggest faults (among many) is that I'm much too self-critical. I suppose I could blame my father, who criticized me mercilessly. Perhaps (...just perhaps....) I make these videos to validate my talents and receive positive input from others.
I haven't been playing the piano much at all lately, mostly due to health issues, but music definitely nourishes our souls and lifts our spirits.
I loved your recent blog post - - keep writing, and take care.
Dontcha think it's time (way past time) to give yourself a break? I was well into my forties before my father told me he was "proud" of me. The beauty of it was that, as much as those words would've meant to me when I was a child, by that time in my life, they weren't worth a puddle of spit. It was at that point that I realized I no longer cared what he thought, and I was finally free of the worthless feeling he'd tried to pound into me. You're free of your dad's criticism and cruelty, too, and you have been for many years. Believe me... believe US... when we say you are talented in soooo many ways. You're a good man, Jon. Now stop beating yourself up, or I'll sic a herd of butterflies on ya.
DeleteA wholehearted thank you.....and a BIG smile.
DeleteThank you, Jon, for posting not only an informative but entertaining video. Like others who commented it does seem that music cheers people, those who perform it and those of us who listen and only wish we could play as well. Tragic about Fred Stone's untimely passing and I also did some additional reading about him online as a result of this post. Thanks for also furthering my knowledge.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, there's very little information available about Fred S. Stone, and I couldn't find any photographs. I'm sure that if he lived longer he would have become more well-known.
DeleteAnd by the way, you were so right in that it was very hard to even find much information about him online.
ReplyDeleteBack Again, the Bos'n Rag was a great ragtime tune and I listened on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteI found several renditions of the Bos'n Rag on the Internet - some are a little longer than others. This rag has some of the unique musical rhythms that are in Silks and Rags.
DeleteI could have sworn that I commented on this post. Hmmm. The music reminds me of the soundtrack from old French films. (or silent movies) I looked him up on line after reading the post. I wish I could play the piano as beautifully as you.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I didn't see a previous comment from you, but with this new confusing blogger format, I might have missed it. Anyway, I'm glad you're here!
ReplyDelete