Ragtime was Re: Joplin, MO piano festival

[Tom Sivak]

Alan,
   
  Seems to me that without recordings, we can only guess how fast these pieces were played over 100 years ago.  Joplin did indicate in a number of his scores the tempo indication, "NOT TOO FAST".  But then, what was "TOO'" fast, I wonder?  You would think with the speed the world traveled back then, that you are probably correct when you say most people play it too fast today.  
   
  But I can't help but think that like now, there were showoffs back then, pianists who wanted to exhibit their technical skills, who took things at a breakneck speed.  I forget, which pianist of that era was known as the "Left Hand of God"?  I can't imagine a nickname like that was generated from taking things at a leisurely tempo.  I think that then, like now, the rags existed at various tempi, dictated by the pianist, the venue, and the piece.  (Who can't get worked up hearing the Maple Leaf Rag at a brisk tempo.  It is a work of bravura.)

  It's easy to jump on a bandwagon, the bandwagon generated through Gunther Shuller, Marvin Hamlisch, and the score to "The Sting", which has put its indelible stamp on our interpretations of Joplin for this generation.   
   
  Tom Sivak
  Chicago
  
Alan Barnard <tune4u at earthlink.net> wrote:
            We have a fellow in our St. Louis chapter (Beau Moses) who is employed at the Scott Joplin House (museum) to play, you guessed it, mostly rags.
   
  I love ragtime but most people play it way, way, wayyyyyy too fast.
   
    Alan Barnard
  Salem, Missouri
   


   
    ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim 
  To: Pianotech List
  Sent: 04/03/2006 2:54:23 PM 
  Subject: Re: Joplin, MO piano festival
  

  Ragtime!!!
   
  Wow . . I don't know anyone who still plays ragtime, other than John Arpin from Canada. . . 
   
  My dad started the Ragtime Society in the early sixties, and ran it with some friends for a couple of decades . . 
  He has tons of original Rags, and repros, albums etc . . . great stuff  ( I play some Joplin, Scott & Lamb as well ) 
   
  
   
  keep practicing . . 
   
  Jim
   
   

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