Scott Kirby Piano: Magnetic Rag by Scott Joplin

[@blueeyedsoulman]

My hats off to whoever got that piano up the stairs.

[@stellaburnell7947]

My favorite - something about it makes me want to dance and weep at the same time. I think Mr Joplin would appreciate your rendition . Many thanks .

[@speechrighter]

Agreed, and well put.

[@hekmatyar7800]

i heard that Scott always said; 'stop playing that fast! its not that fast!' you play it at an absoutly *perfect* speed! Well done!

[@citiblocsMaster]

That's quite my tempo

[@noonehere0987]

When Joplin said to no play it fast, he meant to keep it at a march tempo of 100-120bpm and not some 140+bpm race. That said, this does sound perfect

[@philhewett1601]

So refreshing, it is wonderful to hear Joplin played well and not banged out. You capture his essence, thank you.

[@flintlong2937]

This is wonderful. It is definitely the best version of Magnetic I have ever heard. I think Scott Kirby is my favorite ragtime pianist.

[@speechrighter]

I've been a ragtime fan for 50 years, and Kirby is the best interpreter of Scott Joplin, King of the Ragtime Composers.

[@amybradley2514]

Beautiful! Magnetic Rag is one of my favorites!

[@bobpegritz555]

"Purest interpreter" of Joplin's music is accurate. GREAT version of this timeless piece. Thank you Scott.

[@buskersworld]

scott sounding great always loved the music in the world i sat in few time with classic AL played with Andy Brad and Paublo played at artist when Jeep was around Smegley . I blew into the Quarter with Neti early 8o s Michael is my name

[@DarkIye]

Really good performance. Perfect ragged timing, between straight and shuffle, and it was integrated with the pedal control and note phrasing. Very easygoing improvisations, never overdoing it. Good balance in movement between left and right hands. And I didn't hear a single wrong note. Well done.

[@cwilson284]

This was spectacular; more feeling than I can ever remember hearing in a ragtime performance. I was spellbound.

[@Oso1138]

This is the best playing of Magnetic I have ever heard, truly remarkable and moving. I have always found it a deeply tragic little piece, which spirit is only intensified by the doomed gaiety of the third strain. I think Rifkin says on one of the LP covers that it is almost as if Joplin knew, in writing it, how brief and bleak his remaining years would be. Too fast and it simply sounds jolly, but too funereal a pace can also miss the effect through well intentioned exaggeration. I am particularly impressed by your amazing inner voices, rhythmic counterpoint and accents. So very few ragtime players can do this, especially now, as with the classical brigade, we seem to be entering another period of unbridled, monotonous ninety miles an hour in everything. Fifteen years ago, when I first wrote to David, Frank and Hal to get their music, (ragtime does not have a strong following here) I thought your playing insights were outstanding and I still do. How wonderful that you are now posting things on youtube. Ted (New Zealand)

[@RVgeeks]

Hi Scott. As many times as I've heard you play this piece... on your CDs... on video... and in person, I never seem to be able to fully absorb just how magnificent your renditions are. This one in particular is truly amazing... mesmerizing... moving... perfection. I can't imagine how anyone could ever channel Joplin more flawlessly than you have. Thanks for providing the truly moving moments I get to experience whenever I visit here yet again. Hope you're doing well, and that we get to see you sometime soon. Miss you. - Peter

[@nielskjr5432]

Very well played, thank you. The tempo was spot on

[@bobree3682]

A wonderful rendition!

[@defenestrange5387]

This rivals Scott's versions on piano rolls--amazing to have this live performance.

[@HalValla01]

the piano bench sorta messed with my head. looks like its ON the floor

[@Archiekunst]

True!

[@matthewvarney6214]

This is a brilliant performance of this piece.

[@rebeccamascull5296]

So beautiful. The best I've ever heard it played. :-)

[@wonderbars36]

Man you crushed that. That 3rd section of that was what made me have to seriously work on technique; have yet to learn the whole tune. Bravo to you on the interpretation, and execution.

[@steveneliya2046]

I love your dynamics!

[@DennisMilesEVprofessor]

Of all the instruments, including everything invented using electronics a good piano with the keys properly tickled makes the best darn music... Thanks for sharing your Genius with us all.

[@isthishappening22]

My favorite performance of my favorite piece of music. Love your embellishments and it could not be played better!

[@citiblocsMaster]

It could. This is just the best so far

[@myboibill]

Pure . You & Frank Livolsi make this sing like no one else today. Always a pleasure.

[@DAVE121063]

Your piano sounds beautifully tuned and voiced. Your playing is lovely to listen to, perfect balance between left and right hands, you can hear every note clearly. Very enjoyable, thank you.

[@myboibill]

I so enjoy ALL your playing.your rags are so pure. I can play a few so I understand the challenge and the joy they are to play. I hope to see you in person one day.

[@latibes]

Fantastic rendition of a Joplin masterpiece! Bravo

[@murphthesurf3409]

Remarkably well played. I especially enjoyed the little ad lib / embellishments, you included.

[@janetrobertson2617]

Excellent! You capture the festive feeling this song has. You play it with a unique style. I love it! By far, performed better than all the rest! Thanks 😊

[@anniedudley228]

Really sweet! Such fluid, relaxed playing, you can just the rag rolling through his body and coming out on the keyboard and hopping around. Love it.

[@carolcollins-miles6504]

Marvelous ... soo beautiful Scott Kirby..I feel that Scott Joplin is very pleased! So wonderful that you recorded this on Christmas Day...on your awesome 1907 grand piano! Thank you!

[@FrancodellaVittoria3567]

Non importa la velocità con la quale Scott Joplin suonasse i suoi Rags che ascoltiamo nei suoi rulli. Ogni Rag va suonato a velocità moderata, sia perché lo consigliava Lui, sia perché musicalmente è più gradevole. E Scott Kirby da bravo musicista qual è li suona tutti al tempo giusto.

[@pianotocomfortuplift8976]

Love your soft flowing smooth touch to the piano .... very excellent

[@TheAvenstar]

Beautifully done. A perfect touch.

[@jerryfischkes1536]

Enjoyed this a lot. Great interpretation. Thanks for sharing.

[@timothyj.bowlby5524]

Very nice.

[@soniarute8061]

Esse tipo de música quando bem interpretada no piano, é um deleite para o coração! Amei! 💜

[@ismaelcarlos7241]

Concordo

[@zbigmanVEVO]

nice balance from quiet to loud sound. really good :)

[@timferrell1638]

The RIGHT tempo, and the Mason & Hamlin is a great piano!

[@anneissler8033]

MARVELLOUS ! Thanks !

[@andrewpetersen5272]

Great playing. And what a great sound the Mason & Hamlin gives the music!

[@MrGallagher]

Brilliant. Just perfect! Superbly interpreted during the first iterations of the themes, and then your added filigree and improvised arrangements on the repeats are absolutely perfect and an absolute joy to hear! Not too wild so as to completely change the piece, but so much fun and just the right amount to make the repeats wonderfully interesting-I kept waiting with avid anticipation for what was going to happen next! Thank you for this! It's marvelous! :)

[@mathew3267]

I like how you went real low on that funky part.

[@Angel-tw3ko]

Beautiful!

[@Locke19901]

I mean.. this is my favorite rag. I can play it and get all the notes out. But it doesn't sound like this. Nice one.

[@westfield90]

Superb

[@anthonymccarthy4164]

I think this is how Scott Joplin would have liked it played. It will influence how I play it from now on. Beautiful, he must have meant those harmonies to not be raced through.

[@NROS2012]

you might want to look up the version on youtube played by Joplin himself.

[@Freeknowledgefan]

NROS2012 You mean the piano roll? Hardly reliable.

[@NROS2012]

The original roll was marked with a play back speed, published in his lifetime and recorded by the man himself! It's not 100% but it's the next best thing to asking the bloke himself and far more reliable than some wishy washy imagined "I think this is how he'd have liked it' postulation, even if it is JR who said it - he doesn't have some magical insight and connection with the spirit of SJ - it's just his interpretation.

[@djjeny87]

I know it's meant to be played slowly, but it sounds pretty good at 1.5x

[@ab-il1gk]

right tempo

[@buskersworld]

Rev Busker is my stage name if you want to whiz bang deal band

[@PiotrBarcz]

Well, for a guy who is an accomplished pianist and has quite a following, you have quite the bad audio quality xD But the playing is really nice!

[@andrewpetersen5272]

Great playing. And what a great sound the Mason & Hamlin gives the music!