A Treasure!
"Gimpy" Peach Johnson | 12/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Along with Rifkin's indispensable recordings of Scott Joplin's rags, this CD belongs in the collection of anyone with more than a passing interest in ragtime. For those who may be unfamiliar with Rifkin, let me quickly mention that this is NOT honky-tonk ragtime! If you're looking for an out-of-tune piano playing "Five Foot Two," you've come to the wrong place. These pieces are American (North and South) classics, played on a concert grand piano. Rifkin beautifully articulates the rags of James Scott, Joseph Lamb, and tangos of the great Brazilian composer Ernesto Nazareth. Even those who chided Rifkin's Joplin recordings as "dull" may be pleasantly surprised by the energy and pep with which Rifkin attacks some of these pieces. Even so, his signature classical approach remains intact--he plays the pieces as written, as the composers intended. Rifkin's touch is graceful and elegant; he avoids taking these pieces too fast, allowing their rhythmic and harmonic subtelties to shine. Just as many consider Rifkin's Joplin recordings to be the definitive interpretations, I consider the recordings on this disc to be the definitive interpretations of these pieces. I've heard countless other recordings of the Scott and Lamb pieces on this disc, but none match the evenness, feeling, or sheer quality of Rifkin's performances. The composers on this disc were several notches above most other popular composers of their day, and in this recording, it is immediately clear why. These are beautiful pieces, tinged with a hint of melancholy. The mix of American rags and Brazilian tangos works wonderfully, the pieces complement each other very well. I pull this CD out often--it's great for studying, reading, driving, or just listening. Some of my favorites are Lamb's "Ragtime Nightingale" and "Topliner Rag," Scott's "Evergreen Rag" and "Troubadour Rag" and Nazareth's "Fon-Fon" and "Nove de Julho." This last one is particularly beautiful and haunting. No ragtime or even classical music enthusiast should be without this CD. Highly recommended!"
The incredible Joshua Rifkin absolutely perfect once again
Mark Porter | Yokosuka, Japan | 09/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kind readers of this review, here's my advice: buy this CD
as soon as you have a moment and a few dollars to spare. This
is an another simply great CD by Joshua Rifkin, already immortalized--and rightfully so--by his extraordinary realizations of various of the Joplin rags. This particular CD includes a wonderful selection of classic rags from James Scott and Joseph Lamb, along with several tangos by Ernesto Nazareth, whose tangos often have the bittersweet flavor we associate with the music of Scott Joplin.
Rather than bore you with endless blatherings about the CD, I'll
just say that, as in the case with Mr. Rifkin's recording of
the Joplin rags, I can't imagine this charming music
being played any better. Joshua Rikin just seems to have the
knack for playing this music just right--never too fast, never
any cheap "effects," never without poise, elegance, tonal beauty,
cohesion or tastefully rendered phrasing.
If you haven't heard the Nazareth tangos on this recording, you
really have something special to look forward to here. It's
amazing to me that only in recent years has Nazareth's music
come to be known, given the captivating charm of his music.
Amongst my 400-plus CDs, this is one of my favorites. My dad
loves it as well, and is constantly playing it.
I only wish I could figure out how to get hold of a copy of the
music for Ernesto Nazareth's "Cubanos," since I haven't been able to track down the score anywhere.
I just hope that Mr. Rifkin will get the urge to record some
more of the classic rags or tangos, since it's very hard to imagine better performances of this delightful music.
"
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
