Scarecrow Rag for String Quartet

Scarecrow Rag
By Will B. Morrison, Arranged for String Quartet by Hugh Levey

William Burdette Morrison (1874 to 1937) was a little known American composer of songs and piano music, who later became a publisher and arranger of others’ work. His first known compositions date from 1898 but it was two years later that he started using syncopation in a series of cakewalks for piano. Scarecrow Rag was written in 1911 and makes good use of syncopation; a key feature of the ragtime style. It starts with a descending diminished 7th arpeggio before settling into the key of C major for the main syncopated theme. The central Trio section, in F major, starts off hesitantly, but soon bursts into life with a delightful bubbly theme.

This arrangement for String Quartet remains faithful to the original piano version. It retains the original structure, melody, bass line and harmonies throughout. However, it does fill out some of the passage-work in a manner that the composer may have chosen to do, if he had not been restrained by the capabilities of a piano and two hands. This is in the Trio section and adds to the enjoyments of the players and I hope the audience too.

Duration: 3'
Programme and Performance Notes: 1 page
Score: 8 pages
Parts: 8 pages