*Crying in “The Easy Winners”.* I feel like this piece is often overlooked (I’m wondering if it might be due to its rhythm?), which is a shame; as I think it’s arguably one of Joplins greatest works. The whole composition has a nice and classical balance to it, it’s also got very sophisticated harmonies and beautiful melodic basslines (especially found in its trio). Talking about that trio - its contrapuntal bassline and harmonized melodic voice leading, works out so beautiful that it’s to die for. Joplins way of writing syncopated melodies also doesn’t fail to shine in this piece, even though it’s far from the most syncopated thing he wrote. So while The Easy Winners is not a crazy complicated rag, it’s still very neat, beautiful, sophisticated, and a very well written composition from a musical standpoint. I’d even argue that it might be the pinnacle of Joplins Ragtime works. Approximately how far down the list would you put this one though Dr. Hall?
This is great. Thanks for all you do, Cory. The different lists only show that there's so much beauty and richness in Joplin's work. A great American genius. I have my own kind of accidental top ten, difficult to rank, based on decades of plonking at these things. I will say that I think people underestimate The Entertainer because it's so overplayed, but the A theme must be one of the most popular and recognizable tunes ever written, up there with Happy Birthday and Auld Lang Syne. I love (hate) when you play it and people say, "Oh, I learned that when I was a kid." No you didn't; you learned some easy version and couldn't play the piece as written. It's a very elegant piece. I can't complain with anybody's choices, and I'm not totally sure about my list, though these are probably the ones I've played most: Maple Leaf Rag The Entertainer Magnetic Rag Solace Gladiolus Fig Leaf Scott Joplin’s New Rag Pineapple Rag Euphonic Sounds Weeping Willow Seems as if The Cascades should rank. It's one I avoided early on, but I should probably give a shot. I can play the C section of Fig Leaf, no problem.
Cory, your sense of humor is refreshing You really do make ragtime fun. demonstrating at the same time, both the nuances of and The beauty of Joplins compositions. Too many people play Joplin like a machine, listening to them, I missed the good stuff, you play it like music! you just gave me so many new ones to try out.Those sections you just demonstrated that I have not yet heard or even missed listening to other people Who play Joplin so boring. you always make his music sound so much fun to play, that, I want to play these also even as I already have a list of his other songs that I am already working on thanks, my “greatest list” will have to come later as I am still discovering Joplin cheers bob
Very good list. I agree with your "underrated masterpieces" like The Strenuous Life. And Rose Leaf is undeniably gorgeous. Though my top ten would look a little different. 10. The Nonpareil 9. Solace 8. Fig Leaf Rag 7. Reflection Rag 6. Heliotrope Bouquet 5. Magnetic Rag 4. Rose Leaf Rag 3. Bethena 2. Searchlight Rag 1. Gladiolus Rag
These are my 10 best from that list 10 being least and 1 being best 1. Combination March 2. Cleopha 3. Paragon rag 4. Peacherine rag 5. The Cascades 6. Something Doing 7. Magnetic rag 8. Country Club 9. Lily Queen 10 Felicity rag
Really enjoyed this video and look forward to seeing your list, when you merge the under-rated ones too. I would find this difficult to do, as he has so many gems 💎 in his repertoire!
New, Sugar Cane, Sunflower, Weeping Willow, Palm Leaf, Cascades, Heliotrope, Euphonic, Gladiolus, and Something Doin'. Top second 10. Fig Leaf in top 10.
Walsingham by John Bull, a set of 30 variations on a theme. But this came over 100 years before Bach's Goldberg Variations, which coincidentally also has 30 variations!
*Crying in “The Easy Winners”.* I feel like this piece is often overlooked (I’m wondering if it might be due to its rhythm?), which is a shame; as I think it’s arguably one of Joplins greatest works. The whole composition has a nice and classical balance to it, it’s also got very sophisticated harmonies and beautiful melodic basslines (especially found in its trio). Talking about that trio - its contrapuntal bassline and harmonized melodic voice leading, works out so beautiful that it’s to die for. Joplins way of writing syncopated melodies also doesn’t fail to shine in this piece, even though it’s far from the most syncopated thing he wrote.
So while The Easy Winners is not a crazy complicated rag, it’s still very neat, beautiful, sophisticated, and a very well written composition from a musical standpoint. I’d even argue that it might be the pinnacle of Joplins Ragtime works.
Approximately how far down the list would you put this one though Dr. Hall?
This is great. Thanks for all you do, Cory. The different lists only show that there's so much beauty and richness in Joplin's work. A great American genius. I have my own kind of accidental top ten, difficult to rank, based on decades of plonking at these things. I will say that I think people underestimate The Entertainer because it's so overplayed, but the A theme must be one of the most popular and recognizable tunes ever written, up there with Happy Birthday and Auld Lang Syne. I love (hate) when you play it and people say, "Oh, I learned that when I was a kid." No you didn't; you learned some easy version and couldn't play the piece as written. It's a very elegant piece. I can't complain with anybody's choices, and I'm not totally sure about my list, though these are probably the ones I've played most:
Maple Leaf Rag
The Entertainer
Magnetic Rag
Solace
Gladiolus
Fig Leaf
Scott Joplin’s New Rag
Pineapple Rag
Euphonic Sounds
Weeping Willow
Seems as if The Cascades should rank. It's one I avoided early on, but I should probably give a shot. I can play the C section of Fig Leaf, no problem.
I'd have to put Weeping Willow in my top ten. One of Joplin's most melodious compositions.
My favorites are Solace, Bethena and Great Crush Collision March
Cory, your sense of humor is refreshing You really do make ragtime fun. demonstrating at the same time, both the nuances of and The beauty of Joplins compositions. Too many people play Joplin like a machine, listening to them, I missed the good stuff, you play it like music! you just gave me so many new ones to try out.Those sections you just demonstrated that I have not yet heard or even missed listening to other people Who play Joplin so boring.
you always make his music sound so much fun to play, that, I want to play these also even as I already have a list of his other songs that I am already working on thanks, my “greatest list” will have to come later as I am still discovering Joplin cheers bob
Thanks Bob!
Please do the same type of videos for Joseph Lamb rags! Love it.
Agreed!
My favourite Joseph Lamb is Reindeer rag followed by Cleopatra rag
Very good list. I agree with your "underrated masterpieces" like The Strenuous Life. And Rose Leaf is undeniably gorgeous. Though my top ten would look a little different.
10. The Nonpareil
9. Solace
8. Fig Leaf Rag
7. Reflection Rag
6. Heliotrope Bouquet
5. Magnetic Rag
4. Rose Leaf Rag
3. Bethena
2. Searchlight Rag
1. Gladiolus Rag
At 13:04, you are correct. I can relate this to his third movement work from Sonata 5
These are my 10 best from that list 10 being least and 1 being best
1. Combination March
2. Cleopha
3. Paragon rag
4. Peacherine rag
5. The Cascades
6. Something Doing
7. Magnetic rag
8. Country Club
9. Lily Queen
10 Felicity rag
Really enjoyed this. Thankyou
Interesting list, thank you for giving me insight into some new rags by Joplin! ❤
Really enjoyed this video and look forward to seeing your list, when you merge the under-rated ones too. I would find this difficult to do, as he has so many gems 💎 in his repertoire!
Thank you love your knowledge
New, Sugar Cane, Sunflower, Weeping Willow, Palm Leaf, Cascades, Heliotrope, Euphonic, Gladiolus, and Something Doin'. Top second 10. Fig Leaf in top 10.
Very nice!
Love this video, gonna keep a squeaky toy under my pedal. Where did Cookie go?
Very interesting, thank you. But i couldnt do a list, they re all wonderful🥲
About the dog .... don't play tug-of-war with a shoe unless you want him/her to eat shoes.
What do you think is the most underrated work by a underated composer
Walsingham by John Bull, a set of 30 variations on a theme. But this came over 100 years before Bach's Goldberg Variations, which coincidentally also has 30 variations!
Solace
Chronological order:
1. Original Rags
2. Sunflower Slow Drag
3. Palm Leaf Rag
4. Weeping Willow
5. Rose Leaf Rag
6. Lily Queen Rag
7. Fig Leaf Rag
8. Gladiolus Rag
9. Searchlight Rag
10. Sugar Cane
Order of greatness:
10. Lily Queen
9. Weeping Willow
8. Original Rags
7. Sugar Cane
6. Sunflower Slow Drag
5. Fig Leaf Rag
4. Palm Leaf Rag
3. Searchlight Rag
2. Rose Leaf Rag
1. Gladiolus Rag