I remember very distinctly what a sensation Joshua Rifkin's Ragtime was in the 1970S. It's still among the very best of Ragtime performances today--I think.
I always recommend to everyone to get their hands on RIfkin's CD. His style of play is authoritative and extremely well researched. He is about the only one who plays these songs as Joplin wrote them. I especially hate the way the so-called pianists at Disney play these on the Main Street ragtime piano. Joplin would be spinning in his grave if he heard his songs butchered like that. I am also mastering these rags on grand piano, and concentrate on playing them like Rifkin. I have recently posted three of them, including one from side 2 of this album (Weeping Willow) :-)
We have April 1, the day of his decease in 1917, confined as a ward of the State in Manhattan State Hospital for the mentally ill. He was just 48. In a way, he might feel that it was a day worth celebrating, for one thing, to get out of that place, and to escape the prison of his ruined body and brain. He is said to have remarked that it would be twenty years in the future before his work was appreciated. Well, give or take. The date of his birth is not known for sure. Hmmm... the date of publication of his first work, or his best work (the arguing would never die down!). The date of his mastery of the form, with each piece described as being like a cameo, with each line incised with the sure intention of a master workman, and the feeling of an artist. Ok, I like that day; we may not know when it occurred, but it's a day that could be every day that a person from our time, or a future time, plays one of his masterpieces for the first time.... and a little part of the world is new again. We can sense the still-beating heart in, of all things, the pattern of the ink spots on the page--- incredible--- over so much time, and it still makes you kind of want to dance at the keyboard. James2758433--- would today suit you for that celebration?
I remember very distinctly what a sensation Joshua Rifkin's Ragtime was in the 1970S. It's still among the very best of Ragtime performances today--I think.
Absolutely agree. Not too fast, superb articulation and a masterclass in playing syncopation.
There is something special about ragtime music😊 if only I could put my finger on what it is too👍
Thank you for sharing this recording.
Great upload, thanks for sharing.
If you can upload the entire recordings of Rifkin playing Joplin, that would be great.
I've got the green album and yellow album. No promises -- my turntable's kna effed. lets see what happens.
I always recommend to everyone to get their hands on RIfkin's CD. His style of play is authoritative and extremely well researched. He is about the only one who plays these songs as Joplin wrote them. I especially hate the way the so-called pianists at Disney play these on the Main Street ragtime piano. Joplin would be spinning in his grave if he heard his songs butchered like that. I am also mastering these rags on grand piano, and concentrate on playing them like Rifkin. I have recently posted three of them, including one from side 2 of this album (Weeping Willow) :-)
Yes-too many people play them way too fast. :-( This the memo Joplin expicitly asked for. :-)
We need to have a national or international Scott Joplin Day!!!
We have April 1, the day of his decease in 1917, confined as a ward of the State in Manhattan State Hospital for the mentally ill. He was just 48. In a way, he might feel that it was a day worth celebrating, for one thing, to get out of that place, and to escape the prison of his ruined body and brain. He is said to have remarked that it would be twenty years in the future before his work was appreciated. Well, give or take. The date of his birth is not known for sure. Hmmm... the date of publication of his first work, or his best work (the arguing would never die down!). The date of his mastery of the form, with each piece described as being like a cameo, with each line incised with the sure intention of a master workman, and the feeling of an artist. Ok, I like that day; we may not know when it occurred, but it's a day that could be every day that a person from our time, or a future time, plays one of his masterpieces for the first time.... and a little part of the world is new again. We can sense the still-beating heart in, of all things, the pattern of the ink spots on the page--- incredible--- over so much time, and it still makes you kind of want to dance at the keyboard.
James2758433--- would today suit you for that celebration?
SIDE 2....please?
...I have all of Mr. Rifkin's recordings on Vinyl and CD