Scott Joplin Music

Biograph issued three great CDs of Scott Joplin's works.In this one,we are sure that Scott Joplin (1868-1917) plays on three rolls: "maple leaf rag","ole Miss rag" (written by W.C.Handy),and "magnetic rag".The other rolls were produced in the sixties by Hal Boulware, a collector.All the tunes were digitally recorded from a 1910 Stenway.All the past-time charm and melancholy of this music is here.And listening to these tunes,I can't help thinking that Joplin knew perfectly Frederic Chopin's works.The beautiful "Elite syncopations" was marvelously played by MaryLou Williams in 1971 on his great "Nite life" album on CHiaroscuro.And there are rare tunes like "paragon rag","Eugenia","Cleopha",or "Heliotrope bouquet",all beeing marvelous compositions.Don't forget that this music was one of the roots of jazz : after Joplin came Eubie Blake (1883-1983),Luckey Roberts (1887 ?-1968) and James P.Johnson (1891-1955),and that was the birth of stride.Scott Joplin's music is part of the basement of jazz.And the beauty of his tunes has something timeless.

Ignore the notes which identify Gershwin as an Afro-American ;-). Fumo performs his speciality, Afro-American piano works, well. This collection includes:
1. The overture from "Treemonisha" by Scott Joplin, who is best known for his ragtime piano works. The overture was published for piano and voice; the original orchestration is lost. While overtures are usually best when heard in the context of the entire work, the work stands well on its own.
2. Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin is given a solid performance - listeners may well have other favorite performances.
3. Yamekraw by James Price Johnson is one of two pieces that make this recording special. Most of his work is relegated to jazz. This piece was written as an answer to Rhapsody in Blue - the pairing gives this composer his due. Johnson's music is worth pursuing further.
4. Africa by William Grant Still, another composer unknown to me. This piece is played from the original manuscript rather than a transcription of the symphonic form. Still's music as well is worth pursuing further.
5. New World a-Comin' by Duke Ellington is a wonderful piece to round-out the album.
If you are interested in American classical music, this cd is a great introduction to unfamilar works with just enough familar to make the listener feel welcomed.

The word "masterpiece" is often over-used in reviews here on Amazon, but in this case, it's certainly appropriate. Richard Dowling may be better known as a classical pianist, renowned for his interpretations of such romantic and impressionist composers Chopin and Ravel, but his sensitive touch transfers beautifully to these ragtime, stride, and early jazz selections. There are some familiar rags here from Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, Euday L. Bowman, Felix Arndt, Zez Confrey, and others, but also some delightful obscurities such as Abram Chasins's "Rush Hour In Hong Kong," Gershwin's "Two Waltzes In C," and Ferde Grofé's previously unrecorded "Three Shades of Blue." Admittedly, much of the music on this CD falls outside the realm of so-called "classic ragtime," and leans more towards the 1920s/1930s "novelty" and Gershwin-esque classically-influenced jazz, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. As a long-time classic ragtime fan, I found the selections on this disc a refreshing change of pace from the usual fare. I'm particularly astounded by Dowling's performance of Bix Beiderbecke's "In A Mist." Aside from Bix's own solo piano recording of his most famous work, I consider Dowling's to be the definitive performance of the score as it was originally published (and I've heard several dozen solo piano recordings of "In A Mist"). Dowling's mastery of the impressionist style gives "In A Mist" a warmth and beauty I've never heard anywhere else. Forget Claude Bolling, forget Ralph Sutton, forget Dick Hyman, Dill Jones, Lincoln Mayorga, Ken Werner, or any other pianist you've heard play "In a Mist." They may be decent, but THIS is it! Having said that, I would have liked a little more "oomph" in Dowling's performances of Fats Waller's "Handful of Keys" or Eubie Blake's "Charleston Rag," but on the whole, this is a remarkable CD that I consider one of the highlights in my extensive ragtime collection. The recorded sound is brilliant--like sitting in the front row of a concert hall listening to a beautifully-tuned Steinway grand piano. No out-of-tune, rinky-dink upright here! Dowling treats the pieces with the respect they deserve, and his flawless technique and energetic performances make him one of the best ragtime pianists around today. Highly recommended!

The word "masterpiece" is often over-used in reviews here on Amazon, but in this case, it's certainly appropriate. Richard Dowling may be better known as a classical pianist, renowned for his interpretations of such romantic and impressionist composers Chopin and Ravel, but his sensitive touch transfers beautifully to these ragtime, stride, and early jazz selections. There are some familiar rags here from Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, Euday L. Bowman, Felix Arndt, Zez Confrey, and others, but also some delightful obscurities such as Abram Chasins's "Rush Hour In Hong Kong," Gershwin's "Two Waltzes In C," and Ferde Grofé's previously unrecorded "Three Shades of Blue." Admittedly, much of the music on this CD falls outside the realm of so-called "classic ragtime," and leans more towards the 1920s/1930s "novelty" and Gershwin-esque classically-influenced jazz, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. As a long-time classic ragtime fan, I found the selections on this disc a refreshing change of pace from the usual fare. I'm particularly astounded by Dowling's performance of Bix Beiderbecke's "In A Mist." Aside from Bix's own solo piano recording of his most famous work, I consider Dowling's to be the definitive performance of the score as it was originally published (and I've heard several dozen solo piano recordings of "In A Mist"). Dowling's mastery of the impressionist style gives "In A Mist" a warmth and beauty I've never heard anywhere else. Forget Claude Bolling, forget Ralph Sutton, forget Dick Hyman, Dill Jones, Lincoln Mayorga, Ken Werner, or any other pianist you've heard play "In a Mist." They may be decent, but THIS is it! Having said that, I would have liked a little more "oomph" in Dowling's performances of Fats Waller's "Handful of Keys" or Eubie Blake's "Charleston Rag," but on the whole, this is a remarkable CD that I consider one of the highlights in my extensive ragtime collection. The recorded sound is brilliant--like sitting in the front row of a concert hall listening to a beautifully-tuned Steinway grand piano. No out-of-tune, rinky-dink upright here! Dowling treats the pieces with the respect they deserve, and his flawless technique and energetic performances make him one of the best ragtime pianists around today. Highly recommended!

This CD is a delight. Including some well-known gems by Jolin and Gershwin, the disc also offers some lesser known corners of the ragtime canon, including two selections by modern rag composer (and winner of the 1997 Scott Joplin prize for the best new rag), Brian Dykstra. The selections are brilliantly played by Lester and the sound is excellent. A winner all around.