Scott Joplin Music

Since i am into ragtime i was curious about orchestral movements.
I play alot of piano rags but you also would believe it was composed for orchestra

gunther schuller and his ragtime ensemble are in my eyes the bestest in this sector. They play the rags like they use to be.
i can recommend this CD to everyone who likes ragtime.

I love ragtime, but I don't love this CD. If you like the sound of a very loud snare drum dominating many of the tracks, then you'll like it. Before you buy it, try to borrow it from your local library to make sure it's for you. I wish I had. Let the buyer beware!

once again gunther schuller brings us the beautiful sound of orchestrated ragtime. but instead of focusing on Scott Joplin, he mixes in modern day rags. Mattapan Rag, composed by the tubist, shows how ragtime can be effective outside of the typical ABACD format established in early rags. a great suprise is the Smokehouse Blues. while not a "rag" it does use the ompah base and syncopated treble and therefore is very welcome. it also shows how southern ragtime is much dofferent from midwestern.

I first heard the New England Ragtime Ensemble on PBS many years ago, and the wonderful sounds from these talented musicians has stuck in my head ever since. The 17 tracks on this album are generally quite up-tempo, though the "slower" songs certainly wouldn't qualify as ballad (and hence would not be ragtime).

I was surprised to find any ragtime collection that does not include Joplin's "The Entertainer", but they have clearly not been wanting for good material to fill a CD -- every one is a winner. My favorites are Rob Carriker's "Matapan Rag" and a delightful (non-piano!) arrangement of "Dizzy Fingers".

Any fan of ragtime will love this album. I did.

I first heard a track from this album on BBC Radio 3: it was Treble Bob, Sixteen In, and it was magical. But when I came to hear the whole album, it is thematically all over the place. Beautiful ringing, but it doesn't seem sure of its audience.

I'd love to hear an album entirely like Treble Bob, Sixteen In - changes rung on handbells. It would be a wonderful meditation background.

This recording includes contributions by four handbell ensembles in England, all very different. For the most part, the CD consists of English folk tunes, carols, and change ringing. The change ringing group is well worth a listen, as it is the latest incarnation of the ancient art form that made England the "Ringing Isle." The other ensembles very much reflect the "community band" concept, with all that entails: much enthusiasm and excitement, but rough around the edges. For the collector, though, this is an important piece of handbell ringing history and well worth having.