Syncopated Musings: Classic Piano Rags and Ragtime Waltzes

Track Listings
1. The Thriller! (May Aufderheide)    
2. Ham And! (Arthur Marshall)    
3. Country Club (Scott Joplin)    
4. Magnetic Rag (Scott Joplin)    
5. Smiles And Kisses—A Syncopated Classic (Harry Jentes)    
6. Pastime Rag No. 4 (Artie Matthews)    
7. Binks' Waltz (Scott Joplin)    
8. Rooster Rag (Muriel Pollock)    
9. Weeping Willow (Scott Joplin)    
10. Ragtime Nightingale (Joseph Lamb)    
11. Bantam Step (Harry Jentes)    
12. Harmony Club Waltz (Scott Joplin)    
13. Sleepy Sidney (Archie W. Scheu)    
14. Heliotrope Bouquet (Louis Chauvin & Scott Joplin)    
15. Bethena—A Concert Waltz (Scott Joplin)    
16. Maple Leaf Rag (Scott Joplin)    

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
"What is scurrilously called ragtime is an invention that is here to stay...Syncopations are no indication of light or trashy music, and to shy bricks at ‘hateful ragtime’ no longer passes for musical culture" wrote Scott Joplin in 1908 when ragtime was at the peak of its popularity. Across the United States, composers and publishers were busy churning out one rag after another to satisfy a public that could not get enough of ragtime’s "weird and intoxicating effect." Ragtime flourished for roughly twenty years, during which it evolved from the simple folk melodies of Tom Turpin and Blind Boone to the sophisticated, elegant works of Scott Joplin, Joseph Lamb, and James Scott, later giving way to the acrobatic, harmonically complex novelty rags of such composers as Zez Confrey, Roy Bargy, and Arthur Schutt.

Unlike much popular music, which rapidly becomes old-fashioned through dated lyrics or gimmicky instrumental effects, ragtime has stood the test of time. Ragtime sounds as fresh today as it did a century ago. For this recording, pianist Bryan Wright has selected sixteen classic piano rags and ragtime waltzes from 1896-1923. Many of Scott Joplin’s finest compositions are presented alongside lesser known gems from such other composers as Artie Matthews, May Aufderheide, Arthur Marshall, Harry Jentes, and others. The disc also includes a handsome 8-page booklet with reproductions of original sheet music covers and notes by the performer about each of the pieces. 64 minutes.

Syncopated Musings: Classic Piano Rags and Ragtime Waltzes, Music, Bryan Wright, Classic solo piano RAGTIME: hauntingly beautiful melodies with gentle syncopation
Syncopated Musings: Classic Piano Rags and Ragtime Waltzes
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Classy Ragtime
  • Great classic ragtime!
Syncopated Musings: Classic Piano Rags and Ragtime Waltzes
Bryan Wright
Manufacturer: Rivermont
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
ClassicalClassical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0002XQAY0
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Tracks:

  1. The Thriller! (May Aufderheide)
  2. Ham And! (Arthur Marshall)
  3. Country Club (Scott Joplin)
  4. Magnetic Rag (Scott Joplin)
  5. Smiles And KissesA Syncopated Classic (Harry Jentes)
  6. Pastime Rag No. 4 (Artie Matthews)
  7. Binks' Waltz (Scott Joplin)
  8. Rooster Rag (Muriel Pollock)
  9. Weeping Willow (Scott Joplin)
  10. Ragtime Nightingale (Joseph Lamb)
  11. Bantam Step (Harry Jentes)
  12. Harmony Club Waltz (Scott Joplin)
  13. Sleepy Sidney (Archie W. Scheu)
  14. Heliotrope Bouquet (Louis Chauvin & Scott Joplin)
  15. BethenaA Concert Waltz (Scott Joplin)
  16. Maple Leaf Rag (Scott Joplin)

Album Description

"What is scurrilously called ragtime is an invention that is here to stay...Syncopations are no indication of light or trashy music, and to shy bricks at `hateful ragtime' no longer passes for musical culture" wrote Scott Joplin in 1908 when ragtime was at the peak of its popularity. Across the United States, composers and publishers were busy churning out one rag after another to satisfy a public that could not get enough of ragtime's "weird and intoxicating effect." Ragtime flourished for roughly twenty years, during which it evolved from the simple folk melodies of Tom Turpin and Blind Boone to the sophisticated, elegant works of Scott Joplin, Joseph Lamb, and James Scott, later giving way to the acrobatic, harmonically complex novelty rags of such composers as Zez Confrey, Roy Bargy, and Arthur Schutt.

Unlike much popular music, which rapidly becomes old-fashioned through dated lyrics or gimmicky instrumental effects, ragtime has stood the test of time. Ragtime sounds as fresh today as it did a century ago. For this recording, pianist Bryan Wright has selected sixteen classic piano rags and ragtime waltzes from 1896-1923. Many of Scott Joplin's finest compositions are presented alongside lesser known gems from such other composers as Artie Matthews, May Aufderheide, Arthur Marshall, Harry Jentes, and others. The disc also includes a handsome 8-page booklet with reproductions of original sheet music covers and notes by the performer about each of the pieces. 64 minutes.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Classy Ragtime.......2005-06-15

If you are one of those people who thinks ragtime was the music of turn of the century riff-raff, Bryan Wright will prove you wrong. This guy plays with an understated, classical touch that really elevates the genre.

His thoughtful and at times dramatic rendition of "Bethena" really shows why Joplin subtitled it a "concert waltz" -as opposed to just a plain old "waltz." I also like Bryan Wright's interpretation of Muriel Pollock's "Rooster Rag." There are moments in this rag where I am reminded of the delicate passagework of a Chopin Nocturne. But he can also play with a lot of vim and vigor - like in the "Thriller" and the "Maple Leaf Rag"- in which he displays some "hot" ragtime playing.

4 out of 5 stars Great classic ragtime!.......2005-03-10

Bryan Wright beautifully articulates both well known and obscure piano solos from the ragtime genre. My personal favorite is "Smiles and Kisses" by Harry Jentes, a brilliantly executed rendition reminiscent of music from the silent movie era.

Bryan's performances reveal feeling and nuance, without a tendency to flashy embellishment that distracts from the original score.

Technically, the album is very well recorded - never a certainty with independent labels.

Any fan of piano instrumental music from the early 20th century will enjoy this album!

Track Listings:

  1. Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich: Violin Concertos
  2. The Art of Can Belto
  3. The Robin Cox Ensemble
  4. Time Passages - A Collection of 20th Century Music for Trumpet
  5. Treasures of the St. Petersburg State Museum
  6. Two Spheres
  7. Vive la Liberte - French Orchestral Works - Berlioz: La Marsaillaise / Chabrier: Marche Joyeuse / Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
  8. A Choral Tapestry
  9. A Musical Toast
  10. Alec Wilder: Music for Winds and Brass

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