Every once in a rare while I'm pleasantly surprised. The other night I found some piano tapes that I didn't remember recording. I had completely forgotten about the Angel Food Rag and was delighted to hear it again.
So (of course) I decided to make it into a video. The BIG problem was - what the heck kind of visuals can I use for the subject of angel food?
I initially tried an angel theme, but it bombed Big Time. Angels and heavenly vestals don't exactly go with ragtime music - so I incorporated the tried-and-true theme of cartoon animals. I think it worked out reasonably well.
The Angel Food Rag was written by Al Marzian. Biographical information about this composer is very scarce, but I found out a few things.
Al Marzian
Albert Frederick Marzian (1875 - 1947) was born in Russia but his parents were German. The family moved to America when he was thirteen.
Albert and his brother Alfred (a professional cellist) were involved with the Louisville Symphony Orchestra in Kentucky, and Albert eventually became conductor there.
Albert later ran a music store in Albany, Indiana, was part-owner of a music publishing company in Louisville, and was also a conductor and arranger in local musical theater.
Since Al Marzian didn't particularly want to be associated with ragtime music, he used the pseudonym Mark Janza on some of his compositions (such as the Lion Tamer Rag). He also supposedly made some piano rolls under the name Silvio Marzini.
Anyway, I think the Angel Food Rag is a great ragtime composition and it's fun to perform.
Change of subject -
there was a HUGE windstorm here last night, which toppled some nearby trees - - but thankfully none on my property.
video best viewed full screen
