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Joplin: The Complete Rags, Waltzes & Marches / Appling


Release Date: 03/29/2017 
Label:  Cd Baby   Catalog #: 5638932184  
Composer:  Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling
Number of Discs: 4 
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Notes and Editorial Reviews

The release of William Appling’s recordings of the complete piano works of Scott Joplin (1868-1917), comprising all forty-six of Joplin’s rags, waltzes and marches, is the first “complete Joplin” ever recorded by an African-American pianist. These landmark recordings are being released by William Appling Singers & Orchestra (WASO), the acclaimed ensemble founded by Appling in 1979, on the group’s own imprint, WASO Records.

"It is never right to play Ragtime fast." Scott Joplin's famous instruction, printed at the top of most of his publications, has been overlooked by many pianists who take quick, Tin Pan Alley tempos for such favorites as Maple Leaf Rag and The Easy Winners. Listening to William Appling's four-CD Read more set of the complete rags, waltzes, and marches, one should be convinced that the correct speed for most of Joplin's piano music seems to be a moderate walking, if not ambling, pace, and Joplin's subtle harmonies and intricate syncopations are easier to appreciate when the timing is leisurely. Appling came to Joplin by way of rediscovering a student's abandoned copy of the Collected Works edition, and playing through the rags in 2001 gave him the impetus to record not only this impressive collection, but also to work on other Joplin projects, such as a full-scale production of the opera Treemonisha. While numerous collections are available, Appling's set is the first complete recording of Joplin's piano music made by an African-American pianist, and his remarkable two-year project shows his determination to give the music the permanence and respect that it deserves, as well as the proper pacing. - AllMusic Guide
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Works on This Recording

1.
Sugar Cane by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1908; USA 
2.
Pleasant Moments by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1909; USA 
3.
Country Club by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1909; USA 
4.
Gladiolus Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1907; USA 
5.
Combination March by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1896; USA 
6.
The Cascades by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1904; USA 
7.
The Ragtime Dance by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1899; USA 
8.
Bethena by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1905; USA 
9.
Great Crush Collision by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1896; USA 
10.
Leola by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1905; USA 
11.
Scott Joplin's New Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1912; USA 
12.
Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1899; USA 
13.
Bink's Waltz by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1905; USA 
14.
Paragon Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1909; USA 
15.
Reflection Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1917; USA 
16.
The Easy Winners by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1901; USA 
17.
Eugenia by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1905; USA 
18.
A Breeze from Alabama by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1901; USA 
19.
Harmony Club Waltz by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1896; USA 
20.
Original Rags by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1899; USA 
21.
Cleopha by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1902; USA 
22.
Antoinette by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1906; USA 
23.
Euphonic Sounds by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1909; USA 
24.
School of Ragtime by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: by 1908 
25.
Elite Syncopations by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1902; USA 
26.
Peacherine Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1901; USA 
27.
Searchlight Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1907; USA 
28.
March Majestic by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1902; USA 
29.
The Chrysanthemum by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1904; USA 
30.
The Strenuous Life by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1903; USA 
31.
Nonpareil by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1907; USA 
32.
The Sycamore by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1904; USA 
33.
Pine Apple Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1908; USA 
34.
The Entertainer by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1902; USA 
35.
Augustan Club Waltz by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1901; USA 
36.
Wall Street Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1909; USA 
37.
The Favorite by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1904; USA 
38.
Rose Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1907; USA 
39.
Palm Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1903; USA 
40.
Rosebud by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1905; USA 
41.
Silver Swan Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: by 1915; USA 
42.
Weeping Willow by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1903; USA 
43.
Fig Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1908; USA 
44.
Stoptime Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1910; USA 
45.
Magnetic Rag by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1914; USA 
46.
Solace by Scott Joplin
Performer:  William Appling (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1909; USA 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 2 Customer Reviews )
 music faithful to the musical heart of Scott Jopl November 2, 2017 By Kermit Krueger (Evergreen Park, IL) See All My Reviews "Thank God that some gifted musician, finally, took Joplin at his word, "It is never right to play Ragtime fast." Of course the implicit joy of the rhythm propels amateur and professional musicians alike to ignore Joplin's oft repeated instructions. I suppose this is but another fact if the legacy of Jim Crow America. Presenting Joplin's works with the reverence given to Beethoven, Brahms, and almost every other classical or serious composer, is a musical wonder. Suddenly Joplin's music reveals not just the joy of life but also the struggles, sorrows of living. The core of Joplin's music is what used to be called the "singing line." I admit that I have long found it impossible not to at least hum along with Joplin (clearly not for public performance, though). So I was thrilled when I noticed here and there to hear the pianist humming along, too! And to hear or experience the joy of getting a note just right, of the musician and/or the teacher is also to be savored. So thank you, William Appling, for opening the works of an old friend anew!" Report Abuse
 Very Different, and Very Beautiful Joplin May 26, 2017 By Jens M. (North Bergen, NJ) See All My Reviews "This is not your uncle’s carefree, happy-go-lucky Scott Joplin. No straw hats, no peppermint striped shirts, just deeply moving, thoughtful performances of Joplin’s great music by pianist William Appling. I admit I was taken aback at first by several things: the close-up, non-concert-hall recording; the minimal pedaling (due to Appling's illness, as explained in the notes); and most particularly the tempos—considerably slower than one is used to hearing. After only about two tracks, however, these issues disappeared into the ether as I realized what Appling had discovered in Joplin and how he was revealing these discoveries to his listeners. What I have learned about Scott Joplin from these beautiful recordings has changed me. Scott Joplin composed truly profound music. Just like all the great masters, his work expresses the full range of human emotion: joy, reflection, sadness, playfulness, bitterness, longing, humor, tenderness, determination, and, most of all, love. Appling clearly understood this and his playing expresses all these emotions and more out throughout the forty-plus pieces. I fear there may be some who will dismiss this recording because of the lack of pedaling or because some performances show a certain amount of effort. As stated in the excellent, extensive program book, the recordings were made when Appling was ill, which would seem to explain why there is not the easy fluidity one would expect on every single piece. For me, however, this couldn't be less of a problem. The music is what matters, and there is nothing but pure music here. Appling's playing actually reminds me of the late work of Horszowski, where he does nothing but go for the meaning of the music, where he is exploring and revealing the truth. You will never hear better performances of the masterpieces “Solace,” “Scott Joplin’s New Rag,” “Pleasant Moments,” “Wall Street Rag,” and many others. The difference between Appling’s performances and those of the others who have played this music, as good as some of them are, could not be clearer. Personally, I will take Appling’s. I hope people will listen to these recordings closely and carefully and repeatedly, without any distractions. The ones who do will be richly rewarded." Report Abuse
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