Scott Joplin Music

The Labeques have always been a far more exciting piano team than anyone else. This take on Ragtime, first released in 1983 and sounding very good in this latest 2004 reissue, was in many ways inevitable - their upfront and fun-loving music-making naturally is right at home in Ragtime, and combined with considerable French panache resulted in a great CD. One is unlikely to hear a better balance of authenticity and pure class in this music - indeed, if the performances were any more stylish they would cross-over into being prettified. But such is the talent on display and their wonderful rythmic dynamism that this never really becomes an issue. My only caveat is that two pianos playing Ragtime can be almost too much of a good thing: wonderful as this CD is I personally would never listen to all these selections back to back. Unless of course the Labeque sisters were perfoming them live! Frankly I'd be happy to watch them play Chopsticks together, which they no doubt could do in a most engaging way. Listening to the pair of them feeding off each other in Ragtime is definitely an enlivening experience!
The samples give an excellent idea of what you are in for - an explosion of irrestisble out-of-the-box musical energy! There is a preponderence of Scott Joplin, with eight selections out of eleven, so this album might have better been labeled "The Labeques Play Joplin".
The great jazz pianist Eubie Blake who as a youngster in the 1890's was writing rags died the year this CD was made - a striking reminder of how close at hand is the music the Labeques perform.

I have had this recording for more than 20 years(EMI Japanese release)and have always treasured it among one of my favorite recordings.

This is simply the best ragtime recording of all time, and in my personal openion, perhaps the best recording by the sexy and talented Labeque Sisters.

If you think rag is too tedious, simple and boring, try this one. Yes, most of the rag or boogie woogie music tend to be too repetitive,predictable in rhythm , melody line and voicing. But Labeque Sister really play magic here, the arrangement and modal improvization of "Sting" and "Maple Leaf Rag" are just breathtaking. It will be almost impossible to come up with better versions of these two tunes. The rest of the selections are also all time classic rag with unique treatment--happy, funky, elegant---anything but boring.

The only other ragtime CD (piano) I would recommend is Claude Bolling's "Original Ragtime". It is the best solo Rag that I came accross.

I had the pleasure to see Labeque Sisiters live on stage few times years ago and was really impressed by their virtuosity , stage presence and beauty(it is hard to ignore).

If you have never seen or heard them, this CD is a must have.

Whether you like classic, jazz ,pop or rock. If you like piano , do not miss this one.

Katia and Marielle Lebeque play the rag notes distinctly so you can clearly hear the harmonies. Listening to them I could understand why Joplin's music came to be listed in the classical section of the Schwann catalog. I can hear the new sonorities he developed.
At the same time, the Lebeques maintain the ragged time rhythm and the fun of the rags they play. I use this cd in class at times to demonstrate the transition from traditional classical on the beat rhythms to syncopated rhythm. It is a very enjoyable record.