Bethena, a Concert Waltz

“Bethena, A Concert Waltz” is a composition by Scott Joplin. It was the first Joplin work since his wife Freddie’s death on September 10, 1904 of pneumonia, ten weeks after their wedding. At the time the composer had significant financial problems; the work did not sell successfully at the time of publication and was soon neglected and forgotten. It was rediscovered as a result of the Joplin revival in the 1970s and has received acclaim from Joplin’s biographers and other critics. The piece combines two different styles of music, the classical waltz and the rag, and demonstrates Joplin’s excellence as a classical composer. The work has been described as “an enchantingly beautiful piece that is among the greatest of Ragtime Waltzes”, a “masterpiece”, and “Joplin’s finest waltz”.

Instrumentation: 423.11 brass ensemble and optional Percussion

• Piccolo 1 Trumpet in B♭
• Trumpet 2 in E♭
• Trumpet 3 in B♭
• Flugelhorn
• 2 Horns
• 2 Trombones
• Bass Trombone
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• Otional Percussion (3 Cymbals, Triangle, Snare, Bass Drum)

This arrangement is part of our Boulder Brass Signature Series.