Scott Joplin: Champion of Ragtime

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This was requested by Heather M., Eric Rakestraw, Sean Ramsdell, Ronnie Roddy Jr., Krzysztof Q, YO BOY SEMAJ, and i know i may sound gay when i say this but yeah. See all requests at lentovivace.com/classicalnerd....
📚 Sources/further reading:
“Scott Joplin: The Man Who Made Ragtime” by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson (1978)
“Julius Weiss: Scott Joplin’s First Piano Teacher” by Theodore Albrecht (College Music Symposium, Vol. 19 No. 2 (Fall 1979)
www.crj-online.org/v4/CRJ-Tre...
www.classical.net/music/comp.l...
tshaonline.org/handbook/onlin...
historicmissourians.shsmo.org...
www.sdjewishworld.com/2014/09...
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Classical Nerd is a video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
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Music:
- Scott Joplin: The Chrysanthemum, performed by Gerlüz and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/yxtzyjnm
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
- Scott Joplin: Combination March, performed by Gerlüz and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/y3vd47uo
- Scott Joplin: Gladiolus Rag, performed by Peter Bradley-Fulgoni and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/y4w8oety
- Scott Joplin: Harmony Club Waltz, performed by Gerlüz and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/y69bgvep
- Scott Joplin/Scott Hayden: Kismet Rag, performed by Tony Wilkenson and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/yxq2wk7p
- Scott Joplin: The Nonpareil, performed by Gerlüz and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/y5m262gr
- Scott Joplin: Paragon Rag, performed by Gerlüz and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/y2atde57
- Scott Joplin: Peacherine Rag, performed by Gerlüz and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/yy3gyozh
- Scott Joplin: Pleasant Moments, performed by Gerlüz and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/y3eeef2z
- Scott Joplin: Magnetic Rag, performed by Constantin Stephan and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/y4hxl2aq
- Scott Joplin: Wall Street Rag, performed by Constantin Stephan and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/yyynmwgh
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Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
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Facebook:
/ classicalnerd
Instagram:
/ the_classical_nerd
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All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information.

[@Buckleupbucko]

The amount of educational material in your videos is always worth its weight in gold; But personally, as a musically uneducated black american aspiring to learn theory and one day compose, I very much appreciate the level of in depth detail you’ve shown this genre regarding a black american. It’s genuinely means the world to any aspiring black composer. Thanks again. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to have to watch this 10 more times. just to make SURE I get all the information!

[@MarcDozier2954]

Wow. Marc Dozier

[@elbretto6062]

did you compose stuff yet

[@ViernesDeCine]

Fantastic introduction to an underperformed and underrated composer. Just wanted to note that Joshua Rifkin's 1970 recording of some of Joplin's rags (and the fantastic concert waltz Bethena), which sold more than a million copies, is also credited with reviving interest in the genre. Funnily enough, Conlon Nancarrow was born in Texarkana, Arkansas; I wonder to what point his player piano pieces were influenced by his neighbor!

[@yukismith]

thank you for honoring this remarkable composer..

[@dinocardamone-sg1ph]

Really REALLY great video !!!...stupidly under appreciated in comments.... answered many serious questions about the form, historic sicial context and Joplin's genius I've had for over 3 decades. Thank you.

[@charliehaffke2051]

Hell yeah!!! Scott Joplin is fire

[@squid0g]

learning the context behind magnetic rag gave me a profound new level of appreciation for it. its a shame joplin wasnt able to continue his focus on his idea of proper ragtime evolution. also. these videos are amazing. theyre as timeless as the music they discuss. thank u for blessing us with these. and im sure the next few hundred years of music nerds feel the same way

[@swymaj02]

The Magnetic Rag is a jive man!!! Real good.

[@samaval9920]

1st published Ragtime piece before the name was invented seems to be DansesbCuhaijesv(Danzas?!Baile Cubanos) 1840, by 19th c. pianist &! composer superstar, Louis Moreau Gottschalk., now almost unknown,but still being recorded.

[@brucequinn]

This is so nice, I’m really happy I found your channel this week.

[@unclvinny]

That half dollar story is bonkers. Thanks so much for all your love for the topic and engrossing presentation. Quite interesting to hear the magnetic rag, too.

[@cloudfeelz8262]

Great video!!! Can’t wait for more of your content!! I SUBBED;)

[@samaval9920]

Cakewalk & Ragtime were USs 1st 2 dance music song exports.

[@pianomanhere]

Excellent video, Thomas. Thank heavens we also have the Dover edition of the piano/vocal score of "Treemonisha."

[@axelcastillo5245]

No creí que fuera a ver todo el vídeo pero, de pronto me di cuenta que ya estaba por acabar xd, gracias por el buen trabajo de este video.

[@dinocardamone-sg1ph]

...moving, sad and inspiring story and account....great great content...I need to watch more of this guy

[@kjwilsonator3333]

Absolutely love your channel CN! Learning so much. If possible, could you cover Domenico Scarlatti - Composer of 555 piano sonatas and within are gems that are quite forward thinking for the time. Thank you so much.

[@paddybpaddyb9940]

"Huge gaps in his biography" Easy, he went down to the crossroads. That's why he was such a genius.

[@dinocardamone-sg1ph]

WOW !! Just heard, Treeminisha and the rest of the video, what a story, what a history, and what an incredibly

[@melovebass178]

Thank you for discussing such an important composer! And thank you for this video series in general, I just watched the episodes on Rachmaninoff, Boulez, and Frank Zappa and they're all so good and well put together. May I suggest looking to Astor Piazolla? You probably know of him already but just in case you don't: he combined classical composition and instruction with tango to create a whole new form of music, and it seems classical musicians (at least on KZbin) love to play his works.

[@ClassicalNerd]

You're in luck: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2TVdWOmhdeKsJo

[@melovebass178]

@@ClassicalNerd I'm embarrassed for missing this before... Thanks for directing me!

[@exerciserelax8719]

Very informative! I've been interested in knowing more about the history of ragtime bands. You mentioned that Joplin led a group early in his career, and it seems there were some popular ones as in the song "Alexander's Ragtime Band" (although I'm not sure if that one is real or fictional). Early jazz bands would sometimes play songs with "rag" in the title so it seems there might have been some crossover in the early days of jazz.

[@SQUAREHEADSAM1912]

Very accurate video. Once I start my own channel, I plan on doing a video of his life and music in great detail as well.

[@itsRemco]

Yeah please do so bro

[@PJGRAND]

Very important parts of the history of Treemonisha Our left out of this video we're discovered before the 2011 recording of Treemonisha but for people to think that Treemomisha was a complete flop and Joplin just had one rehearsal and a hall In 1915 Joplin's folic of the bears was performed by full symphony orchestra in 1915 which is retitled dance of the bears for the occasion I'n,1916 Treemomisha was perform many times we know for sure in 2016 Joplin perform Treemonisha was performed many times with orchestra and costumes all this is in the book that goes along with the 2011 recording of Treemonisha on New World Records I notified these people 2 years but they still haven't fixed it in 2 years instead they're still haven't corrected the major errors in this video please correct or delete the video don't keep telling people false information then they keep repeating to other people

[@magnussaar9760]

Thank you! I would like to hear about Rudolf Tobias an estonian composer and Max Reger. Can't wait for Francis Poulenc. Keep up the good work.

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@mooster47]

Thank you!

[@stephenfegely]

TY

[@aayyiss]

YES!

[@julianmisut6258]

Very Interesting! I would humbly request Lutoslawski, Walton, Primrose, Kodály, Ysaÿe, and Spectralism. Keep up the good work, looking forward to future videos!

[@ClassicalNerd]

Thanks! Unfortunately I'm only accepting five requests per viewer to keep the request pool manageable. Which five of these six would you like me to add?

[@julianmisut6258]

@@ClassicalNerd I could do without Primrose, awaiting more great content!

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@Paolo8772]

There's a piano pice by Maurice Ravel that sounds like a more modern version of a Scott Joplin Ragtime song. Can you please help me to remember what it is?

[@rrkdudas6848]

Could you please please please make a video about Marcel Dupré? (The Paganini of the organ)

[@ClassicalNerd]

You already requested Dupré: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@rrkdudas6848]

@@ClassicalNerd oh right

[@finnjustfinn6783]

Could you consider making a video on Frank Bridge or Arthur Bliss please?

[@ClassicalNerd]

I did Bridge a few years ago [ kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep_GomOJos6YsLs ]. Bliss has been duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@sneddypie]

im unsure of whether or not you've done, or whether i've reccomended it, but could you do a video on carl tausig?

[@ClassicalNerd]

You already have. All requests can be found at lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@sneddypie]

Classical Nerd damn, ok

[@razakza]

This would have been *PERFECT* with animation accompanying the narrative.

[@magmasunburst9331]

Rautavaara would be an excellent selection for your videos.

[@ClassicalNerd]

I did an old, old video on Rautavaara [ kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJjZgol6a55ooc0 ] but he might be due for an update. We'll see.

[@coltonjones9850]

Love everything-Gunther Schuller has an American pronunciation to his name though.

[@ClassicalNerd]

Interesting-I've never actually heard his name pronounced. (People complain when I pronounce foreign names with an American accent, and now the opposite, lol)

[@FocusMrbjarke]

what other composers composed ragtime?

[@ClassicalNerd]

Ernest Hogan, Ben Harney, and Zez Confrey are three names that come to mind, although these names are only known because their music was notated.

[@FocusMrbjarke]

@@ClassicalNerd Awesome thanks. I am going to listen to them later.

[@DavidA-ps1qr]

Please allow me to add one more: George Botsford

[@exerciserelax8719]

Joseph Lamb I consider to be second only to Joplin as a ragtime composer. There were also quite a few women ragtime composers, and there's a good compilation album of some of their work that you can find online. Finally, I strongly recommend checking out William Bolcolm, a classical composer who wrote a number of rags that pay homage to the tradition while incorporating his own more modern style. (I haven't watched to the end yet so I apologize if any of these were mentioned).

[@fullbodiedmovie]

@@ClassicalNerd And, of course, don't forget John Philip Sousa.

[@dinocardamone-sg1ph]

I meant that I just finished listening to the "magnetic rag"...sorry.

[@jaypalombella1589]

Can you do Cesar Franck please?

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@Nick-dc3vv]

Jelly Roll Morton, please?

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@PJGRAND]

Rick Benjamin conducter of the Paragon Orchestra discovered that Joplin actually performed both A. Guest of Honor and Treemonisha with orchestra many times the old rehearsal hall story is just a myth this new info is in the book of Benjamin's Full length Version of Treemonisha on new world records and even includes a picture of the first Treemonisha also An expert from Treemonisha Frolic of the Bears was performed at a synphony concert in 1915

[@thesucka397]

What's the book called?

[@danielgonzalezjr8350]

Can you do Nikolai Kapustin please.

[@ClassicalNerd]

Duly noted: lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html

[@mikemossey]

Hey Thomas - you haven't seen my email I think. I wanted to add a lesson tomorrow.

[@ClassicalNerd]

Either my e-mails aren't going out properly or my messages to you have been flagged as spam ... you may want to try [e-mail] if you can't find my messages from Sunday morning or today.

[@DavidA-ps1qr]

Apart from the "opera" (that surely must have been a rather foolish decision), I often wonder what Joplin would have produced had he studied orchestration. The mind boggles! Thanks for yet another superb video.

[@TJ-mm8fx]

How is it foolish in the slightest? From what survives we know that it’s an amazing work.

[@MadameCorgi]

The opera is great and has won a Pulizer

[@breadfaybianfabian3597]

!!!!

[@MertCalkan]

waiting for Scriabin and Rachmaninoff

[@ClassicalNerd]

I have a very old Scriabin video that I plan on remaking some time soon-ish (I'm obliged to do doctoral apps first, obviously). And while my video on Rachmaninoff isn't up to today's production quality, it does indeed exist.

[@johnrandolph6121]

This is well done and but all the edits are distracting and kind of unprofessional. You can't do more than a sentence without an edit?

[@ClassicalNerd]

Cuts are a very common technique across KZbin, and my goal is to deliver information as accurately as possible. In recent episodes, I've rigged up a teleprompter to combat this (as it cuts down editing time).

[@authenticbaguette6673]

1:43 yes .. if a fire breaks out , the exit is always to the left .. and remember , no smoking in the theater ! (Wink wink) 13:29 the white city : a self indulgent and meaningless feat of architecture , meant as a prototype for what an ideal city would look like . It caused a fair bit of unrest in a country where the homeless and the poor were increasingly persecuted and criminalised , serving as a reminder of the cold detachment of the rich from society , of the over-romanticised and nostalgic neo-classical ideals of modern libertarian ideology

[@girlact75]

Does he have to make this so difficult for us?Really?!?! Ya gonna blame a Black man for prejudices that refuse to document his existence. Nah.

[@ClassicalNerd]

Have you heard of sarcasm?

[@vailryan5682]

Can you speak any faster?

[@ClassicalNerd]

Yes.