Search - Scott Joplin :: Scott Joplin, Elite Syncopations, Classic Ragtime From Rare Piano Rolls

Elite syncopations : the title says !

JEAN-MARIE JUIF | BESANCON France | 09/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."