All pure genius, but Dick Hyman is in a class by himself.. incomparable musical imagination, ingenious reharms, flawless technique, superb rubs.. the whole enchilada 🎹🎶❤️
Wow to actually see Joshua Rifkin is such a high when as a kid I worshipped his three volume set. I have such respect for all of these immensely talented gentlemen. Sad to see them so old though. Beautiful men. God bless them all for having brought joy to this world through this beautiful music.
Everyone on the panel is there for a reason, and they all played great - with special kudos to Mr. Hyman, whose performance was transcendental. I wish we could have heard Max. Max is the Chopin of ragtime pianists. He could evoke tears with Joplin’s Solace, which in other hands comes off more cloying and sentimental, or often just another rag. Max made it breathe, gave it moods and life. His touch was amazing. You heard independent voices, and they sang like a choir. He used a Chopin rubato, and his pedaling stayed out of the way, only adding sustain where it was warranted. I‘m sure there are recordings of Young Max which may contradict me, but Max in his prime turned ragtime into a concert art, without losing its riverside roots. II probably heard him play a dozen times, live, and he was exceptionally consistent. It is sad that Max Morath is no longer playing, but I completely understand when he says “It’s OK!” Like the artists he named, he has moved on from looking back. I hope he knows that it was not just for nostalgia that he carved out a path for music history to trace back the roots of popular music to its origins. That has de-facto become the most important music in history, economically. It came from somewhere. Ragtime is where.
I was also impressed to have been able to witness Rifkin play it live on video. Thanks to him, people have a serious appreciation of the great composer.
What a treat! How fortunate to come across such legendary musicians whose great talents and love for this original American music of ours, are able to capture the authentic sound of a great and bygone era! Bravo, gentlemen! Bravo!
What I like about Rifkin's performance is that he takes the music seriously and approaches it as if it were a classical composition without honky tonk mannerisms. That's what Joplin would have wanted and I think he would have felt vindicated by the respect shown here.
The first "classical" record I ever heard as a young musician was "French Dances of the Renaissance" on the Nonesuch label--with extensive back-of-the-sleeve liner notes by Joshua Rifkin. That would have been in the fall of 1968. Nine years later I was a graduate student in musicology at U Chicago; and at a national musicological meeting in Boston I got to meet Rifkin where we discussed the chronology of the motets of Josquin des Prez! I also heard Rifkin and Bob Winters (a Chicago PhD whose career took hi to UCLA) in an impromptu performance of Schubert's Marche Militaire No 1, a vey fun piece. Rifkin's Nonesuch recordings of Joplin have been in my vinyl library since they came out, and the Belwin edition of Joplin's "Collected Piano Works" (the paperback with the big green maple leaf on the front cover) is on my piano today. This is a wonderful video--thank you!
As stunning as I find this whole thing to be (what quality artists and quality pieces), does anyone else find some of the pieces a tad rushed? (e.g. Kitten on the Keys)
Maple Leaf Rag played far too fast - and speeded up as he went along, losing the basic rythmic tempo. Joplin himself said "Do not play ragtime too fast" didn't bother to listen to the rest.
@@draper858 I only listened to the first pianist. The gentleman was good but I still agree with my first comment. I’m a 65 year old pianist who plays jazz funk Latin & rock. Maybe I’m nitpicking a bit
All pure genius, but Dick Hyman is in a class by himself.. incomparable musical imagination, ingenious reharms, flawless technique, superb rubs.. the whole enchilada 🎹🎶❤️
Omg all these incredible genius gathering together.. Wish I couldve been there
Max Morath is my favorite interpreter of ragtime. His version the cotton tail rag is absolutely unparalleled. So gorgeous.
Oh, you must hear Scott Kirby's recording of that ravishing Lamb masterpiece!
Thank you for your passion for music Mr Hyman
Wow to actually see Joshua Rifkin is such a high when as a kid I worshipped his three volume set. I have such respect for all of these immensely talented gentlemen. Sad to see them so old though. Beautiful men. God bless them all for having brought joy to this world through this beautiful music.
Loved the performance of Solace here. 37:23.
Yes!
Very touching! To be honest I heard it for the first time and I cried
Everyone on the panel is there for a reason, and they all played great - with special kudos to Mr. Hyman, whose performance was transcendental. I wish we could have heard Max. Max is the Chopin of ragtime pianists. He could evoke tears with Joplin’s Solace, which in other hands comes off more cloying and sentimental, or often just another rag. Max made it breathe, gave it moods and life. His touch was amazing. You heard independent voices, and they sang like a choir. He used a Chopin rubato, and his pedaling stayed out of the way, only adding sustain where it was warranted. I‘m sure there are recordings of Young Max which may contradict me, but Max in his prime turned ragtime into a concert art, without losing its riverside roots. II probably heard him play a dozen times, live, and he was exceptionally consistent. It is sad that Max Morath is no longer playing, but I completely understand when he says “It’s OK!” Like the artists he named, he has moved on from looking back. I hope he knows that it was not just for nostalgia that he carved out a path for music history to trace back the roots of popular music to its origins. That has de-facto become the most important music in history, economically. It came from somewhere. Ragtime is where.
This is the only live recording I've seen of Rifkin. I think his playing here is even better than on the Nonesuch recordings.
I was also impressed to have been able to witness Rifkin play it live on video. Thanks to him, people have a serious appreciation of the great composer.
A stage full of my ragtime and stride heroes!! This is awesome!!
Rifkin brings out a singing tone. Like what we see in Chopin. Marvelous.
Love listening and watching these guys play Joplin. Rifkin is my favourite interpreter however.
This was such an amazing panel! I learned so much!
What a treat! How fortunate to come across such legendary musicians whose great talents and love for this original American music of ours, are able to capture the authentic sound of a great and bygone era! Bravo, gentlemen! Bravo!
God, Rifkin is a genius!
I don't know much about ragtime but those guys are great for sure !
Ahhhhh !........The meeting of the gods of the eighty-eights 🎹 .
What I like about Rifkin's performance is that he takes the music seriously and approaches it as if it were a classical composition without honky tonk mannerisms. That's what Joplin would have wanted and I think he would have felt vindicated by the respect shown here.
Wrong. Joplin was a tickler their showmanship was a vital part of their musical performance.
Max Morath learned ragtime from Eubie Blake. Better by miles.
Rifkin is a typical Eurocentric - prioritizing the European elements of the music over the African. He puts me to sleep.
The tune Dick Hyman plays at 1:09:09 is "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles."
Fantastic content. Keep up the great work!
The first "classical" record I ever heard as a young musician was "French Dances of the Renaissance" on the Nonesuch label--with extensive back-of-the-sleeve liner notes by Joshua Rifkin. That would have been in the fall of 1968. Nine years later I was a graduate student in musicology at U Chicago; and at a national musicological meeting in Boston I got to meet Rifkin where we discussed the chronology of the motets of Josquin des Prez! I also heard Rifkin and Bob Winters (a Chicago PhD whose career took hi to UCLA) in an impromptu performance of Schubert's Marche Militaire No 1, a vey fun piece. Rifkin's Nonesuch recordings of Joplin have been in my vinyl library since they came out, and the Belwin edition of Joplin's "Collected Piano Works" (the paperback with the big green maple leaf on the front cover) is on my piano today. This is a wonderful video--thank you!
I love ragtime ;)
raggit
I like that morath decided to pursue a masters at the age of 70. And it really shows.
'Rag Time' is a shortening of 'ragged time', which refers to the syncopation.
That guy really butchered the Maple Leaf Rag at the start.
Agreed, he did not observe Joplin's note: never play ragtime fast!
As stunning as I find this whole thing to be (what quality artists and quality pieces), does anyone else find some of the pieces a tad rushed? (e.g. Kitten on the Keys)
Well, maybe the kitty had to go potty! :)
Do not play ragtime too fast. --Scott Joplin
swallowing many notes
waw
Maple Leaf Rag played far too fast - and speeded up as he went along, losing the basic rythmic tempo. Joplin himself said "Do not play ragtime too fast" didn't bother to listen to the rest.
Dick Hyman the copying ninja
This first pianist’s groove/time could be better. He seems to drift a bit.
These guys are 60, 70, 80 years old. Amazing players.
@@draper858 I only listened to the first pianist. The gentleman was good but I still agree with my first comment. I’m a 65 year old pianist who plays jazz funk Latin & rock. Maybe I’m nitpicking a bit
@@fredstickley I can't tell if his mistakes are intentional, he's a decent improviser, but my god his sense of time is skewed! You're right.
Too fast...
Terry Waldo: Too fast and sloppy. Is Bolcom there? No. The rest are functional, in my opinion not great.. Very disappointing. Many greats are missing.
That was terrible