Scott Joplin (1867–1917) was an American composer and pianist. He achieved fame for his unique ragtime compositions, and was dubbed the King of Ragtime. During his brief career, Joplin wrote 44 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas. One of his first pieces, the Maple Leaf Rag, became ragtime's first and most influential hit, and has been recognized as the archetypal rag. Here then is the Maple Leaf Rag and his Ragtime Dance in a splendid orchestration by Peter Lawson. Although the original notation of Maple Leaf Rag shows it as a straight quaver feel in 2/4 time, Joplin himself played it in a swing style, so this orchestration is in 2/2 time with a triplet syncopated feel in an attempt to get it closer to the style he had in mind. The Ragtime Dance, in contrast, is a straight Stop Time Two Step.
Duration: 7.00
