page_title: Blues, Rags and Stomps
section_title: Alice Walking
hierarchical_section_title: Blues, Rags and Stomps / Book I / Alice Walking
caption_attribution_description: English: Alice Walking by Robert Boury.
context_page_description: Blues, Rags and Stomps, Op. 1, was composed by Robert Boury between 1970-1973. It consists two books, three movements each. Boury composed mostly during his graduate study at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The first set was nicknamed “Varsity Rags”, which Eubie Blake admired and told the audience, “Now that’s ragtime”, after he heard Boury’s performance at the 1971 Toronto ragtime Festival. Book I and II consist of three movements each: I. A Tristan Two-Step, II. Alice Walking, and III. The Rocket’s Red Glare. Book II: I. Eubie’s Blues, II. Stroller in Air, III. I Left My Heart. Boury comments that “A Tristan Two-step” represents his breakaway from modern music and was a way to be accepted as a tonal composer.
context_section_description: Between 1973–74 Boury’s interest toward film music led him to California. During his stay in California Boury was inspired by the beautiful scenic of the canyons, the ocean, and the variety of foliage. Therefore, he composed this piece, which was a reference to "Alice in Wonderland."
  This short piece begins with a quiet, four measure introduction that contains many longer value notes. These long notes may reflect large scale scenery like the ocean and the canyons in California. The time signature is a common meter yet it is a complex piece to master due to the hidden melodies and syncopation. These melodies are supported by the broken accompaniment in both right and left hands. Together, the broken accompaniments and melodies might illustrate the variety of foliage that Boury was inspired to emulate from the scenery. Therefore, the pianist must capture the flowing motion of clusters of leaves by approaching lighter sonorities for the accompaniment (smaller foliage) while making melodies stand out (larger leaves and flowers).
  There are some sections that may be technically demanding to some pianists. Boury frequently used many tempo indications such as accelerando and ritardando in the first half of this movement which occur very frequently. It is tricky to follow those indications yet they help to create the direction of the musical lines and colors. Other technical challenges can be the balance between the multiple lines. After this same theme comes back at measure 26, the left hand requires crossing right hand. The pianist should aim for a lightly detached motion toward the ‘bell-like’ high notes in the left hand to ensure the fantasy like character.
caption: Alice Walking
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