Joplin, Previn: Ragtime & Blues

The American composer Scott Joplin’s name is synonymous with ragtime, and his distinctive music—along with that of his countrymen George Gershwin and Aaron Copland—is central to the American soundworld. Joplin composed more than 100 rags in the style that originated in the Black communities of the American South, and it is largely because of him that the genre has such wide recognition. This charming collection, featuring violinist Itzhak Perlman with André Previn at the piano, showcases Joplin’s genius in polishing a folksy, popular style for classical musicians. Many listeners will be familiar with “The Entertainer”, but the standout track here is Joplin’s beautiful concert waltz “Bethena”. The album is completed by some of Previn’s jazzier compositions, which provide a fantastic contrast to Joplin’s work and beg the question of how his musical style might have evolved had he lived to see the 1920s.