Solace, Scott Joplin, from 'The Sting' (Orchestra version)

Composed and published in 1909 by Scott Joplin, I first heard it as a little girl when my father took me to see the film, "The Sting." With its beautiful melancholy and gently rocking rhythm, it seems to personify in musical form the loneliness and alienation sometimes felt against the backdrop of the hustle and bustle of city life.

But there is beauty in solitude, and with his broad brushstrokes and planes of light, no one captured it on canvas better than Edward Hopper. In his world, details are of no necessity, for they are of no importance.

It's been said that Hopper would sometimes ride the train at night, catching glimpses through open windows of the private lives of city dwellers, and that they were the inspiration behind his paintings.They evoke a quiet stillness and austerity and are, to me, the perfect accompaniment to this adaption of Joplin's composition.

(three additional paintings courtesy of Sally Storch and one photograph courtesy of Richard Tuschman)

[PeterTatiner]

Terrific blend of image and sound. Hopper is the perfect partner here. Moody, meloncholy, lyrical.

[kcphillips]

By far the best version of this piece on U-tube .Lovely music .

[sherrih.]

The most beautiful sweet melancholy song on the planet.

[bernadettelau]

So hauntingly moody. Takes me to a different world, a different

[mickeyreigger]

This is beautifully done, Ms. White, thank you for the wonderful editing.

[mzimmer]

The sequence of paintings was a nice touch. Really helped set the mood. Thanks for posting!

[thomashogan]

Perfectly lovely and evocative. I had this played at my brother's funeral last year. Even the priest was moved. Thanks for the art too.

[michaeltutty]

Absolutely wonderful. So nice to hear this gorgeous piece at the correct tempo. So lovely.

[riverboat]

The haunting art work enhances the gorgeous Joplin

[goforitism]

Edward Hopper, one of my favorite artist of all time! No one captured the emotional landscape like him....

[jamesmangin]

Absolutely beautiful presentation, THANKS.

[jamesko]

I am watching the Sting right now, this is why I am here. Beautiful this piece.

[riverboat]

A beautiful arrangement of this, one of Joplin's most charming, engaging, melancholy compositions, a habanera style work that is among his finest.

[supermash]

Great video. I read somewhere that a critic of Edward Hopper said he was a mediocre painter but a great artist. I agree with that.
Was just reading tonight in various web articles that some people who knew him said that Scott Joplin was only a mediocre piano player, and in fact his contemporaries in St. Louis reveled in outplaying him. It would be hard to argue though that he wasn't also a great artist.

[denalitom]

Such beautiful imagery paired with the iconic music of Scott Joplin. Well done Debbie White!

[vichy]

The Sting introduced me to Scott Joplin, 1973. I believe James Earl Jones brother Robert Earl Jones played Luther

[Jack-hyzq]

The most beautiful video I've seen and heard in a very long time..and the paintings are very evocative and moving. Thank you so much. This video has taught me that the piece is more authentic when played slowly, with rubato. That's when it becomes deeply sad. Beautiful.

[LuisFlores-dsbb]

Imágenes muy acordes a la bella pieza musical

[joseguzman]

Impresionante. Gatilla, hoy te recuerdo.

[cjtillberg]

Ok, gold. That you opened with those lines from the movie proved it. I'll tip my hat now.