Scott Joplin Music

People who wish to start their day in a happy mood should rush to order this CD! Peskanov has shown us once again how gifted he is regardless of the style of music he chooses to perform.Listen to his previously released Naxos CD of the Brahms Violin and Piano Sonatas as an example.
In the Joplin CD he treats the slower rags with his gift of melodic interpretation and the faster ones with his outstanding rhythmic energy.
I feel certain Joplin himself would have enjoyed Peskanov's fresh and delightful rendition!

Reviews of these perfomances seem to divide into those who decry Peskanov's alleged lack of authenticity, and those who appreciate his fresh and original approach to these pieces. I grew up with the Rifkin performances, which remain "standard," but Alexander Peskanov tranforms these pieces to the deepest art. The performance of Solace evokes the pathos of Chopin and the melodic invention of Schubert. I agree with David Boyce that it surely is the finest of all recorded versions of this haunting piece.
Of course one isn't going to agree with every tempo choice, but one cannot deny the thought and integrity of the interpretations--one hears new things with each performance. Just as one can prefer Rubinstein to Horowitz in Chopin (or Serkin to Perahia or Uchida in Schubert), one learns and hears something new and different in each interpretation. We are fortunate to have a range of interpreters.
Peskanov brings a new depth and creative energy to these pieces, infusing them with poetic beauty redolent of the Romantics, but uniquely American at the same time. Let's give up on the idea of a single "definitive" or "authentic" performance. Peskanov's voicing, his choice of repeats, the sheer warmth of his sound --the sonic quality of this recording dwarfs previous efforts--all deserve the highest praise. Many other recordings sound as if they were recorded on a tinny upright--"authentic" perhaps, but not "definitive"!
Peskanov brings out both the joy and pathos of this music. Rather than the "self-indulgence" criticized by one reviewer, I find a rich and musical sensibility that most music lovers will appreciate and applaud. You will be glad to have this recording. Scott Joplin: Piano Rags

For someone who considers Joshua Rifkin's 1970s recordings of Joplin's rags to be the gold standard of their performance, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy this CD. Peskanov is obviously an accomplished pianist, so there's no lack of technique here, but the fun of this CD comes in how he embellishes each rag to make it his own. Sometimes said embellishment goes over the top (I don't think Elite Syncopations really needed that third repeat of the last strain), but in general these performances inject a lot of levity into a form of music whose formulaic structure can turn it stolid upon repeated listenings. Interestingly enough, after his hell-for-leather "Maple Leaf Rag," Peskanov relaxes the tempi and the mood of many of the rest of the selections on this CD. In a lot of instances, they actually sound more mellow than the aforementioned Rifkin recordings. This isn't profound Joplin by any means, but it's the kind of Joplin the pianist at the bar might be playing as you took your seat - relaxing and fun.

All that said, I want to second what other reviewers have mentioned: This CD does NOT represent a historically accurate rendition of Joplin's music, and as such it should not be your first or only recording of these pieces. The fun comes at the expense of breaking several conventions Joplin was very clear on: Don't play ragtime fast, play it exactly as written, etc. I'd recommend this CD only if you already own a more definitive recording of these works, such as the aforementioned Rifkin (on the Nonesuch label, ASIN B000005IYF). I've also been very pleased with Richard Zimmerman's Joplin recordings - he embellishes beyond Joplin's stated intentions as well, but he nonetheless stays truer to the original spirit of these works.

Bottom line is, this CD is thickly frosted cake, and while we all love cake, you need to have your meat and potatoes first. However, as long as you've heard a "truer" recording of these pieces, go ahead and indulge in Peskanov's interpretations. At this price, it's hardly a risk.

I have to agree with every said by Vladimir Pavlov.

This is a very fine Joplin CD. Peskanov plays Joplin's music "as wrote", but beautifully phrased and with occasional, entirely appropriate, small embellishments.

Peskanov brigns out all the beauty in the music. It isn't wrong to do so - Joplin put it in there. The performances here have both vigour and elegance, from a pianist evidently completely technically competent, and manifestly enjoying and respecting the music.

The rendition of Solace here is the finest I've heard.

It's worth mentioning too that the piano used is top-notch, and very nicely tuned and voiced. Nice to see that the technician, Ted Campbell, gets credit on the rear cover.

This is as fine a treatment as Joplin could have wished for his music, and it is what it deserves.

Rifkin, Hyman, Albright and other good Joplin perfomers notwithstanding, (not forgetting the fine new comprehensive set from Guido Nielson on the Basta label) this is surely the finest single-CD Joplin recording out.

This past week, I heard Alexander Peskanov perform Scott Joplin's "Pleasant Moments" on WUOT 91.9. I heard Peskanov performing his own concerto for two pianos live - what a crowd-pleaser! But I never knew that he had an interest in Joplin's rags. I was pleasantly surprised to hear his expertise in this genre, and immediately decided to order the CD. Can't wait to hear this one!!

Music is great, as is the playing. However, the last song is not Magnetic Rag but rather the same version of Maple Leaf Rag heard earlier on the album.

What is with that?

Rich, yet not cloying
Aggressive, yet reflective
Bouncy, yet wistfully romantic
Robert Strickland transports the soul of Scott Joplin's Ragtime
Scott and I smile.

I had previously purchased a Scott Joplin CD and was disappointed by the dull quality and dispirited playing by the artist. This CD more than makes up for it. The music was beautifully performed and the recording was very clear. Every piece was perfect!

Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart are all too well known, but less known musics are blended well into this CD. That's why I bought this CD. I think this is a good CD to familiarlize myself to flute pieces, but as a serious classical music listener it may come in short as more than half of pieces in this CD are something too famous and were listened so many times. This CD can be used to know what I like and then move forward from there. I am the type of listener who listen to the entire Carmen of Bizet instead of listening to only one part or two of it. If a listener is unfamiliar with clessical music, I think this is a good one to start.

this is a great flute cd. i enjoy the fact that the cd has many preformers rather than just one. Jean-Pierre Rampal, of course probably the most famouse flutist, and William Bennett, an amazing flutist who I was fortuante enough to hear in person, are both on this cd, as well as a few other great flutist. i especially enjoyed Siciliene, because i have never heard it played with flute and hard, and because i have played the piece myself.

even if you haven't heard of some of these songs it is wonderful to listen to them. i recomend this cd for flutiests of all levels.

This cd is by far the most beautiful that I have ever heard! It just takes you away to another place and time, far from your worries, very relaxing. I highly reccomend this to anyone who loves beautiful music!