Bats in the Belfry
Class: Original Piano Solo
Published: 1935.
Comment: A piece described as being based on a theme by Austen Croom-Johnson. One assumes that this refers to the opening highly rhythmic figure with a recurring triplet, not easy to bring off with total precision. The two contrasting sections are more syncopated in style and blend perfectly: one would never know that they weren't all by the same composer.
This and its companion piece, Green Tulips, were recorded by Billy and Croom-Johnson as a piano-harpsichord duo. Billy liked the harpsichord, claiming that it was very suited to his brand of syncopation.
Click here for an mp3 clip from this piece played by Christopher Duckett.
