The Entertainer - The Very Best of Scott Joplin Nonesuch ( 01 February, 1997 ) Music Our Price : £ 9.99 Prices subject to change. usually dispatched within 24 hours.

Exquisite

Joplin did for the rag what Chopin did for the waltz, taking it far away from its saloon bar origins and developing it into a purely pianistic art form. No one brings this out more than Rifkin in this recording and his rendering especially of some of the slower more wistful rags like the Gladiolus and Weeping Willow is nothing less than exquisite. The faster more rumbustious numbers also show a wonderful sensitivity, especially to the movement and language of the left hand. Its difficult not to want to dance to it, or at least tap your feet or bop your head around to the embarrassment of your friends if you are listening on a walkman. The finest part must be the Fig Leaf Rag, especially in the very evocative rolling chords of the fourth section. This is of course only a selection, so some may be disappointed (and surprised) not to find the well known "Easy Winners" and "Heliotrope Bouquet" not featured, but the inclusion of one waltz ("Bethena") and Solace (technically a Tango) compensate for this shortfall.

JOSHUA RIFKIN SQUEEZES EVERY LAST DROP OUT OF RAGTIME!

Ever since i heard joshua rifkin perform "Maple Leaf Rag" on the internet, i was stunned. He totally ignores his conducter saying in baton language "STOP PLAYING FAST. IT IS NOT RIGHT TO PLAY RAGTIME FAST" and "Dont Rush..." . I Look on the internet and i cannot find a midi which is closer to scot joplins original idea of it. if you like ragtime then this is a must-have for you. if you dont then buy it anyway. your money will not be wasted. trust me. Play "The Cascades" to a sad friend and watch a smile slowly broaden. play "office monkey" by playing "Maple Leaf Rag" and see everyone in the office start tapping their feet. Use "The Entertainer" at a kids party. Wake up with "Elite Syncopations". use them for anything. Trust me, Joshua Rifkin certainly knows how to play the piano.