George L. Cobb
Encyclopedia
George Linus Cobb was a prolific composer best known for ragtime
, including both instrumental compositions and ragtime songs, although he did produce other works including marches
and waltz
es. Jack Yellen
was a frequent lyricist for the songs.
Entering Syracuse University
in 1905, his first composition were published shortly after. His most famous work is The Russian Rag based (rather loosely) on Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C-sharp minor
, Op.3, No.2. This piece was composed after a friend apparently "dared" Cobb to try to make a rag out of the piece at a restaurant. He took the challenge, went to the piano and began to play the rag. To his surprise, Rachmaninoff was sitting at the same restaurant. He walked up to Cobb after he finished playing his rag and said "Nice rag, but you've got the wrong rhythm."
As well as composing, Cobb had a column in The Tuneful Yankee magazine, launched in 1917 and which changed its name to Melody in 1918. This column was noted for its acerbic style.
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
, including both instrumental compositions and ragtime songs, although he did produce other works including marches
March (music)
A march, as a musical genre, is a piece of music with a strong regular rhythm which in origin was expressly written for marching to and most frequently performed by a military band. In mood, marches range from the moving death march in Wagner's Götterdämmerung to the brisk military marches of John...
and waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
es. Jack Yellen
Jack Yellen
Jack Selig Yellen was an American lyricist and screenwriter.-Life and career:Born in Poland, Yellen emigrated with his family to the United States when he was five years old. The oldest of seven children, he was raised in Buffalo, New York and began writing songs in high school...
was a frequent lyricist for the songs.
Entering Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
in 1905, his first composition were published shortly after. His most famous work is The Russian Rag based (rather loosely) on Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C-sharp minor
Prelude in C-sharp minor (Rachmaninoff)
Prelude in C-sharp minor , Op. 3, No. 2, is one of Sergei Rachmaninoff's most famous compositions. It is a ternary prelude in C-sharp minor, 62 measures long, and part of a set of five pieces entitled Morceaux de Fantaisie....
, Op.3, No.2. This piece was composed after a friend apparently "dared" Cobb to try to make a rag out of the piece at a restaurant. He took the challenge, went to the piano and began to play the rag. To his surprise, Rachmaninoff was sitting at the same restaurant. He walked up to Cobb after he finished playing his rag and said "Nice rag, but you've got the wrong rhythm."
As well as composing, Cobb had a column in The Tuneful Yankee magazine, launched in 1917 and which changed its name to Melody in 1918. This column was noted for its acerbic style.