Search - Scott Joplin, John Arpin :: Joplin: The Greatest Hits

Arpin tickles the Joplin right out of the Ivory.

Peter Lanoie | Clifton Park, NY, USA | 12/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mr. Arpin brings Joplin to life in this two disc set of Joplin's most famous music. The musicianship is magnificent, and the sound quality fantastic. I ran across this at a chain music store, and delighted at the price, grabbed it up. It was one of a few select Joplin recordings. I am very happy with it. It is on constant repeat at the office providing a very pleasant background to my constant typing. My fingers actually bounce along the keyboard with the music - oh how grand it would be to be able to play these pieces as John Arpin does. He is a wonder pianist, putting much feeling into the music. What more is there to say, just get this collection, sit back and absorb the expression of a great ragtime composer."

Not really Scott Joplin

KS391262 | USA | 07/25/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I've been playing and performing Scott Joplin's piano music for about 6 years now, and I must say that I was very disappointed in this CD. John Arpin, who, according to the liner notes, is "recognized as the world's No. 1 ragtime pianist." If he is the worlds best ragtime pianist, then the state of ragtime performance in the world is in real trouble. I would suggest a re-naming of this album to "Fantasys on Joplin Rags, by John Arpin". I am familiar with all of Joplin's pieces on this disc, and Mr. Arpin performs them with little regard for the composers orginal intentions. He adds extra notes, makes chords fuller, changes the register of passages, adds parallel lines, and even repeats sections at his own will. Most of his added notes disrupt Joplin's intended inner voices and lines. Scott must be rolling over in his grave. Ragtime is not jazz, is not supposed to be improvised, yet Arpin improvises all over the place. And why, I ask? Just to show off, that he understands the chord structure and can make a chord fuller. Just to serve his own ego as the "No. 1 ragtime pianist in the world." And in doing so, he hit wrong notes and missed chords all over the place. Don't get me wrong, his playing is all fine (except WAY too slow, for my taste at least, in nearly every piece), and the result to the ear is nice, but it is NOT Scott Joplin, or what Scott Joplin intended."

Guaranteed to raise a smile

E. Snyder | Oregon USA | 02/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is life-enriching stuff played with feeling and finesse.A feathery touch and near-perfect left hand keep the music rolling merrily along, and coupled with beautifully recorded sound these discs are a delight. I need hardly add that as a two-fer it's also an incredible value. This music just makes you smile and feel glad to be alive,and that ain't all bad."