Scott Joplin Music

excellent compilation of ragtime piano performances by some of the most famous and important artists of the 1910's-20's including Jelly Roll Morton, Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, Fats Waller, and others. These performances were taken from piano rolls, which were used in player pianos, and they recordings are fantastic, they sound as if they were recorded yesterday.

Before the advent of electric recording in the 1920s, the one musical instrument that it was almost impossible to record was the piano. This meant that during the heyday of ragtime piano, most ragtime composers concentrated on sheet music and most performers concentrated on touring. The closest thing we have to a record of what ragtime originally sounded like are piano rolls like these, most of them recorded in the late 1910s and ealry 1920s, just as piano rolls were building to their peak at the end of the pre-electric era. Oddly enough, because these are rolls rather than acoustic recordings, they are subject to a sort of monkeying that you just couldn't do with a record back then. They were adjusted for pacing and "rough" phrasing was made smoother as the roll was copied to the model from which all subsequent recordings would come. Consequently, pianists of very different generations (e.g., Scott Joplin and James Johnson) sound too much alike on this recording, because the companies that issued their rolls were aiming at an aggregate "rag piano" style. Nevertheless, this is the closest you will get to hearing what ragtime originally sounded like. As you listen, you will understand why Joplin in particular saw close connections between his compositions and those of more "classical" composers. You will also understand why he told people again and again: "You must never play ragtime fast."

If you love classic movie themes,oscar winning movie tunes and and great songs from classic movie musicals,than this a no braner type purchase,I can't beleve I got this band spanking new for just $9.99(won't tell the name of the store!) for this awesome CD set(yes the barcode was slashed,meaning it was a cut-out but it's the music that matters!),57 classics in all!!! And all the songs ARE the original versions baby,no redone or re-recorded stuff here,just the original versions you want in a package like this,I've been looking for these classic forever,and now I got them in one place,in this great 3 CD set with a nice booklet too!!! Sure some of the songs are not the best in sound quality,but there old vintage recordings so thats the best they might ever sound,but most of the tunes on this set set sound prestine,so get out the popcorn and soda and listen to some classic movie tunes!!! A five package all the way!!! Two thumbs up!!! A+ PS,get this before it goes out of print and the price skyrockets!!!

This is a very nice CD collection that I enjoy very much. They are original recordings so you have to be aware that a couple of the older songs sound scratchy just like they did when you put the record on the record player. It was a shame they couldn't get a crisper sound with all the new technology but it does make you aware how the sound quality has improved over the years. This would make a great gift to anyone over 50. I put mine in the car and just sing away and before I know it I am at my destination. This would be a great collection to take on a trip.

Even though I am not 70 years old, I knew most of the music, and this collection is excellent. I chose some songs and put them on my i-pod. This collection is worth every penny. Enjoy it!

I didn't know what to make of this CD before I bought it, and still haven't totally figured it out as I was listening to it, but I did find it very enjoyable. "Turn Of The Century Cornet Favorites", as this CD is titled, seems to be a misnomer...I didn't recognize one selection among the 19 tracks contained, but that may be the greatest appeal of this CD for any cornet player, brass player, or aficionado desiring some relatively unknown, but well-played, music from a bygone era. As I was listening to the CD, images of the turn-of-the century came to mind. I imagined sitting near a gazebo, while a community band and soloist performed on a summer's eve, or perhaps at a pavilion at the World's Fair. Having played french horn and other brass instruments in my youth, I was familiar with the names of Clarke and Arban (who wrote a celebrated Cornet Method still used today in many colleges and conservatories), and some of their better known compositions. But I have to admit, this materials was all new to me. For anyone wanting to supplement their brass CD collection with recordings not found anywhere else, this CD will do very nicely indeed. The playing by cornet player Gerard Schwarz in amazing, with technique to burn and a beautiful tone to match. Kudos also goes to the outstanding accompaniment he receives from the Columbia Chamber Ensemble. Also, please see my review of "Footlifters" (another winner), part of the Brass Masterworks series on Sony. Keep them coming.

Once again I am amazed by a great Gerrard Schwarz album. I own all of his albums and bought this one right away. I think he is quite possibly the most musical trumpet/cornet player ever to play alongside Maurice Andre. This album is great, and there are many more albums featuring these great players that should be re-released, such as "Festival of Trumpets" with the new york trumpet ensemble. Nontheless this album is a must pickup for any music enthusiast.

You would be hard pressed to find any recording that exhibits greater qualities of lightness, motion, and beautiful phrasing than this one. Add to that Schwartz's beautiful tone and flawless technique, and you have the perfect model of how these cornet solos should sound. I write as a trumpet player who has played quite a bit in this style.

The other reviewer here is spot-on. Scroggins interprets these Joplin pieces in her own refreshing way. This is not speedy honky-tonk ragtime, nor is it academic Rifkin-style ragtime. Scroggins draws upon her roots in gospel and church music to give these ragtime classics interesting new twists, taking liberties with rhythms and notes. That may sound like a recipe for disaster to some ragtime purists--and if you insist that Joplin must be played exactly as written, this may not be the disc for you. However, if you can approach this with a more open mind, you'll find plenty to enjoy here. Scroggins' often subtle changes are a real delight, and completely changed the way I perceive some of these pieces (after hearing the flatted seventh she plays in the C section right-hand arpeggios of "The Easy Winners," I'll never hear that piece the same way again!). She has her own kind of left hand bluesy "roll" that is very effetive in most pieces. She takes the pieces s-l-o-w-l-y, but in doing so, gives the listener a chance to really appreciate the harmonic and rhythmic intricacies. And please don't equate slow with boring. Scroggins is not boring! I've collected recordings of Scott Joplin rags for a dozen years and have hundreds of all- or mostly-Joplin LPs and CDs in my collection. Most tend to be rather unremarkable, but Scroggins's album is one that truly stands out. I've listened to this one dozens of times (more than I can say for most of the other Joplin albums I have) and still get something out of it with each playing. I only wish it included more pieces. Maybe she will get around to doing a second volume some day? This shouldn't be a first or only Joplin disc. If you're just getting into Scott Joplin's music, I'd recommend Joshua Rifkin's classic recordings. However, once you have the prerequisite "straightforward" Joplin recordings, branch out and give this a try. Having more than a passing familiarity with these pieces as Joplin wrote them first will help you appreciate Scroggins's interpretations much more. Hopefully, you'll be pleasantly surprised as I was. Recommended.

Familiar tunes sounding not at all hackneyed (quite an accomplishment in the case of "The Entertainer"- I had this disc on- was listening to Janice play "The Entertainer"- an ice-cream truck drove by my open window- ice cream truck was blasting rinky-tink "The Entertainer" at fast tempo and without nuance).

Janice phrases this music with great dramatic skill. The complimentary themes of rag are presented as a tension-release to the buildup of the previous theme. Enthralling.

This is a performance of great taste. And the compositions are, of course, immortal.