Joplin: Ragtimes & Waltzes Alessandro Simonetto

• Scott Joplin (1868 - 1917):
• 1Original Rags03:53
• 2Maple Leaf Rag02:20
• 3Swipesy Cakewalk03:50
• 4Peacherine Rag03:51
• 5Sunflower Slow Drag04:06
• 6A Breeze from Alabama04:12
• 7The Entertainer03:25
• 8The Strenuous Life04:12
• 9Something Doing03:59
• 10Weeping Willow02:59
• 11Palm Leaf04:42
• 12The Favorite03:17
• 13The Cascades03:33
• 14The Chrysanthemum05:11
• 15Bethena07:40
• 16Kismet03:04
• 17Binks's Waltz06:24
• 18Eugenia05:57
• 19The Ragtime Dance03:56
• 20Gladiolus Rag03:16
• 21Searchlight Rag04:55
• 22Rose Leaf Rag06:25
• 23Heliotrope Bouquet04:36
• 24Fig Leaf Rag05:21
• 25Sugar Cane02:55
• 26Pine Apple Rag04:39
• 27School of Ragtime02:31
• 28Pleasant Moments03:54
• 29Wall Street Rag06:03
• 30Euphonic Sounds03:11
• 31Stoptime Rag03:01
• 32Scott Joplin's New Rag04:23
• 33Magnetic Rag05:24
• Total Runtime02:21:05

Info for Joplin: Ragtimes & Waltzes

It is difficult not to be won over by the rhythm and unmistakable thematic creativity of Scott Joplin's compositions. Born in 1867 or ’68 (the exact date is not known) and gifted with a natural talent, Joplin began to play as a self-taught pianist in the wealthy homes at which his mother worked as a maid. Later, he took piano lessons and learned the craft as a composer, which is evident in the beautiful balance we identify in his works. Before turning thirty, Joplin was already known in the saloons, thanks in particular to Maple Leaf Rag, a piece that marks the evolution of a genre, and that makes him known to the wide public as “The King of Ragtime.”

This present set contains Joplin’s most significant compositions – thirty Ragtimes (including the rarely recorded “The School of Ragtime”) and three Waltzes. Thanks to its accurate chronological order, this recording reveals the composer’s evolution of both form and style. Some of his more or less known ragtimes (Maple Leaf Rag, Peacherine Rag, Something Doing, Swipesy, The Entertainer, Palm Leaf Rag, Eugenia, Gladiolus Rag, Wall Street Rag, Rose Leaf Rag, Fig Leaf Rag, Euphonic Sounds, Magnetic Rag, Scott Joplin's New Rag) could be labeled as true masterpieces for their quality, balance, and refinement. One might even say that Joplin is the Mozart of Jazz.

The performance of polymath Alessandro Simonetto emphasizes the coloristic and rhythmic nature of Joplin’s compositions, so often undermined and mistreated.

The recording was made on a Steinway D-274 owned by Simonetto, who was also the recording engineer (original at 88.2/24bit).

Alessandro Simonetto, piano

Recorded 2017 at Saletta acustica 'Eric James', Pove del Grappa
Engineered by Alessandro Simonetto

No biography found.

This album contains no booklet.