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Composer

Scott Joplin

1868 — 1917

About

Albums

Piano Book (Encore Edition)
Lang Lang
Piano Book (Deluxe Edition)
Lang Lang
Piano Solo
Stefano Bollani
Creole Belles: Music on the Mississippi from Stephen Foster to Scott Joplin
The Chesapeake Minstrels, George Weigand

AboutScott Joplin

Scott Joplin (c. November 24, 1868 – April 1, 1917) was an African-American composer and pianist. Joplin is also known as the "King of Ragtime" because of the fame achieved for his ragtime compositions, music that was born out of the African-American community. During his brief career, he wrote over 40 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas. One of his first and most popular pieces, the "Maple Leaf Rag", became ragtime's first and most influential hit, and has been recognized as the archetypal rag. Joplin considered ragtime to be a form of classical music and largely disdained the practice of ragtime such as that in honky tonk.

Scott Joplin: Master of Ragtime

Scott Joplin, popularly known as the "King of Ragtime," was an influential African-American composer and pianist. Born near Marshall, Texas on November 24, 1868, Joplin left an indelible impact on the music world with his famous ragtime compositions that found their roots in the African-American community. His early life was steeped in the African-American musical traditions that would shape his unique sound. His prolific career led to the creation of more than 40 original ragtime pieces, a ragtime ballet, and two operas.

Legacy of Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag

One of Joplin's earliest and most popular pieces is the "Maple Leaf Rag." This unique composition became the first major ragtime hit, and is often considered the epitome of the ragtime genre. Joplin's influence transformed ragtime from a dismissed musical style to a respected form of classical music. He gained national fame with the publication of "Maple Leaf Rag" in 1899, which became the archetype for the genre and cemented his legacy in American music.

Creole Belles: Impact of Joplin's Music on Mississippi Culture

Joplin's music had a compelling influence on Mississippi culture, prominently showcased in the music collection "Creole Belles". The work comprises a variety of music from Stephen Foster to Scott Joplin, highlighting the evolution of music in this region.

Fascinating Works by Scott Joplin and His Stand on Ragtime

Despite his fame as the "King of Ragtime," Joplin largely disdained the vaudeville style of ragtime that gained popularity in honky tonks. Instead, he perceived and advocated for ragtime as a sophisticated form of classical music. His enduring works continue to inspire and captivate musicians and music lovers worldwide. In addition to "Maple Leaf Rag," Joplin's compositions such as "The Entertainer," "Elite Syncopations," and his opera "Treemonisha" remain celebrated for their melodic inventiveness and structural brilliance. Throughout his career, he mentored other ragtime composers, including Arthur Marshall, Scott Hayden, and Joseph Lamb, influencing generations of musicians. Although his work was underappreciated in his later years, Joplin's music saw a revival in the 1970s, culminating in a posthumous Pulitzer Prize in 1976 for his contributions to American music.