VIDEO: The Chamber Music Society of Detroit Presents Pianist Aaron Diehl

The Chamber Music Society of Detroit takes a deep dive into early 20th-century ragtime and jazz with multi-faceted pianist Aaron Diehl. Equally at home with classical music and jazz, Diehl performs a program of rags by Scott Joplin and Eubie Blake, show tunes, light classics, and music of Harlem Stride masters James P. Johnson, Thomas "Fats" Waller and Willie "the Lion" Smith.

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With its "striding" oom-pah left hand, Harlem Stride became the rage in 1920's New York as the ragtime of Scott Joplin and his contemporaries was transformed into jazz with a new improvisatory freedom, swinging, energized rhythms and virtuoso pianism.

Aaron Diehl connects this history to the present day, giving listeners a taste of what audiences might have heard in clubs, concert halls, and at-home "rent parties" in the 1920's and 1930's. Today's virtual performances offer unique ways for communities to support artists and stay connected through music.

Co-Presented with the University of Chicago Presents and the Des Moines Civic Music Association.

PROGRAM:

Eubie Blake: Charleston Rag
Thomas "Fats" Waller: African Ripples
Scott Joplin: Solace, A Mexican Serenade
Edvard Grieg: Anitra's Dance, from Peer Gynt
Massenet: Élégie
Willie "the Lion" Smith: Fading Star
George Gershwin: 'S Wonderful
James P. Johnson: Carolina Shout

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