‘Marigold’, by Billy Mayerl

This year’s festive music is a piano novelty that I used to play in my bar-restaurant days, 'Marigold' by Billy Mayerl. It’s one of my absolute favourites – with a swingy opening section, jazzy tremolos and the big tune saved for the end.

During his relatively short life - 1902-1959 – Mayerl achieved fame as both a composer and entertainer.  He wrote hundreds of piano pieces, often named after flowers, of which ‘Marigold’, written in 1927, remains the most popular. His ‘School of Syncopation’ was wildly popular, teaching ragtime and stride piano techniques in person and by correspondence; at one point it had over 30,000, a staff of 100 and a monthly magazine.

For years I struggled with the opening theme – all those dotted fourths in the right hand, cascading up and down – and went so far as to write to a concert pianist who’s recorded the piece to ask if there was some trick. (She gave me her fingering for the first bar and said the rest should follow naturally. It didn’t.) My breakthrough came when I asked an online piano forum, frequented mainly by pianists much more accomplished than I, if anyone had any suggestions – and my problems were finally solved. From this I learn - never give up... though I must ask you to forgive my many fluffs and imperfections, and concentrate instead on two guest appearances by Benjamin the cat.