Analysis On Performance Techniques Of The Garden Of Eden By William Bolcom

Since the 20 th century,the piano music has entered an era of diversified development.Most scholars are concentrated on Expressionism represented by Schoenberg,Neo Classicism represented by Prokofiev and Stravinsky,and new Nationalism represented by Bartok,etc.But there was rarely thorough studies involved in American contemporary Ragtime’s composer such as William Bolcom.I hope that through the analysis of the performance technique of Bolcom’s Suite for piano duet The Garden of Eden,more people can have a better understanding of Bolcom’s music and provide some reference for research in future.William Bolcom(1938-)is an emerging contemporary composer and pianist in the United States.He has created a large number of works of twelve-tone technique and piano ragtimes.The piano duet suite "The Garden of Eden" is one of his most famous works.This paper will introduce the composer’s biography,the summary of Ragtime music,the analysis of the structure and performance techniques of the works,also the key points of the piano collaboration in this works,to demonstrate you the characteristics of William Bolcom’s creative style.Thus to make us know more about the contemporary American Ragtime music.