Search - Paul Schoenfield, George Gershwin :: Entertainer

HELEN T. (A-PLUS-SWAP-99) from SHARON, MA
Reviewed on 10/20/2006...

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Superb toe tappers

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 07/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a hoot this old time up-tempo piano music is ! One can picture feet in high button shoes dancing to it, or Charlie Chaplin doing a hilarious routine.
The Scott Joplin pieces: These are ragtime compositions played to absolute perfection by composer/pianist Paul Schoenfield (who some have called "the new Gershwin"), on a "honkey tonk" piano.
Favorites include "The Maple Leaf Rag", and "Solace". The latter is not only the longest piece on this CD at 4:24, but also the slowest. It has a lilting melody, and a varying rhythm that make it interesting, and Schoenfield plays it with mastery, and a lot of emotion.The George Gershwin pieces: Gershwin plays his own works, taken from the Duo-Art piano rolls. He made 140 player piano rolls between the years 1915 and 1927, and the sound quality of what is on this CD will astound you, as it is terrific.
Gershwin's ragtime music is probably the least heard of his works, and therefore a treat to hear, especially since he is playing them. Perhaps my favorite is "Sweet and Lowdown", but there is not a single track on this entire CD that is not a winner.This is a budget recording that is a rare gem, because though they do not list who the performers are on the outside of the CD, one not only gets superb artistry from great pianists, but excellent sound as well; if you like ragtime, you will love it. Total time is 40:51."

Quality music that catches you

Alejandra Vernon | 04/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I remember as a child putting on the album of Scott Joplin's music and listening to "The Entertainer" over and over. I'm 30 and listen to a lot of mainsteam music but this has quality that will last forever. Makes you wish you lived in the swingin' age."