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Bethena (1905). Scott Joplin /the curious case of benjamin button/

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As played by Randy Kerber, Bethena by Scott Joplin shows up in the soundtrack for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Marc Silver: When Joplin wrote the waltz in 1905, his wife of two months had just died; Bethena may well have been her nickname. Now, more than a century later, the song is perfectly suited for the Benjamin Button movie. In spite of its age, "Bethena" sounds as fresh as it if were written just minutes ago, a tender and heartfelt remembrance of a love lost.

lala:

Bethena (A Concert Waltz) - Ra...

Treemonisha (1911). Scott Joplin

Anthony Tommasini reviews reissued recordings including a performance of Scott Joplin's Treemonisha:

Looked at one way, the story is affirming and prescient. A modest young black woman who acquires some education comes back to her home town and is embraced by her community as an enlightened leader.

gable: aworks  wwi/prohibition era joplin: del.icio.us wikipedia google news yahoo audio singingfish treemonisha: usopera new production midi amazon sales rank #7,531