Graceful Ghost Rag (Primatic)

General Info

Year of Published: 2016
Composer: William Bolcom
Arranger: Stephen Primatic
Publisher: Tapspace
Difficulty: Intermediate
Duration: 00:04:40
Cost: $25.00

Instrumentation

Player 1: Glockenspiel
Player 2: Xylophone
Player 3: Vibraphone
Player 4: Marimba 1
Player 5: Marimba 2
Player 6: Marimba 3

Description

William Bolcom composed Graceful Ghost as one of three “ghost rags” for piano in the early 1970’s. Written in memory of his father; it is now considered his most famous work. In this adaptation for intermediate mallet sextet, Stephen Primatic sensitively crafts the original into a colorfully scored ensemble.

Full of flowing syncopation, elegant melodies, and gentle minor harmonies, it’s not your typical ragtime piece. While indeed graceful in spirit, it has a wistful longing and class that sets it apart. Played at a moderate tempo, the rhythms can be played straight or swung. Either way, this adaptation is likely to leave audiences with a smile on their face and the catchy tune embedded in their memories.

Arrangements for Percussion by this Arranger

Czárdás - Xylophone; Percussion Septet
Despedida De Haydn - Percussion Septet
Die Fleder-Rag - Percussion Nonet
Graceful Ghost Rag (Primatic) - Mallet Sextet
Rhapsody in Blue - Percussion 13
Russian Easter Overture - Percussion 14
The Bells of Moscow - Percussion 10
The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Percussion 13
Trout Scherzo (Mallet Septet Version) - Mallet Septet
Trout Scherzo (Percussion Ensemble Version) - Percussion 13