VOA Special English -- WORDS AND THEIR STORIES的主题音乐名为《Bethena Concert Waltz》，由美国著名黑人音乐家斯考特.乔普林（Scott Joplin，1868一1917）创作。考特.乔普林在美国被誉为“Ragtime之王”。我们网站曾发布过Scott Joplin的长篇专题报道：PEOPLE IN AMERICA - Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime Music。
下载播放完整版：Bethena Concert Waltz （.mid音乐格式，6分19秒，21.9KB）>
Scott Joplin, the "King of Ragtime Composers", in 1904 was near the peak of his career when his young bride, Freddie Alexander of Little Rock, Arkansas died just 2 months after their marriage. The existance of Freddie was almost forgotten. None of Joplin's acquaintances who had been interviewed for eariler biographies had ever referred to her. Edward A. Berlin in his recently published Joplin biography, "King of Ragtime" devotes an entire chapter to Freddie. His meticulous research proves her existence and brings to light several facts about her. I quote: "It is strange that none of Joplin's associates who were interviewed in later years, including his widow Lottie and his friends Arthur Marshall and Sam Patterson, mentioned Freddie. Perhaps the brevity of the marriage made it insignificant in the minds of his friends.But Freddie was not insignificant to Joplin, for some years later he was to memorialize her in his most ambitious work [his opera "Treemonisha"]".
"Bethena" was the first Joplin work published after the death of Freddie. The piece was dedicated to Mr. & Mrs. Dan Davenport. I again quote Berlin; "This is an unusual dedication. Davenport was not a prominent performer who could showcase Joplin's music. Nor was he a person of influence or wealth, one who could have helped Joplin's career or commissioned music. So why should Joplin dedicate this piece to Davenport or his wife?"
"The dedication may have had personal significance. Since this is Joplin's first copyrighted work (March 6, 1905) since Freddie's death. I think the Davenports might have helped Joplin through some difficult times, and the dedication was his way of showing appreciation. Supporting the idea that "Bethena" is connected with Freddie, or at least reflects Joplin's mood at the time, is that the music is sadly poignant. It is decidedly not a cheerful, merry waltz, and in this respect contrasts with all of Joplin's other waltzes."
"But then, what is the significance of the title? "Bethena" is an unusual name. Was there a Bethena? If so, is she the beautiful woman pictured on the cover? Or (and this is highly speculative) is this a picture of Freddie." Since Freddie was her given name, could Bethena be her nickname? All speculation aside, Bethena is an enchanting piece and is amoung the greatest of ragtime waltzes.