Customer Reviews

Scott Joplin Complete Piano Works Volume One 1896-1902

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album is more true to the scores yet still played with feeling, than any of the other Joplin collections I've heard. Tremendous sound quality!

I've spent years looking for a great performance of Scott Joplin's music from the early years. And now, I've found it. I can only hope a second volume will follow.

Finally! A collection of Scott Joplin's piano works without any of the nonsense included by many other artists! This album of Joplin's earliest publications is absolutely accurate to the published score. I expect that Reichle will receive some criticism for not including any of his own improvisations (a common ragtime practice). I applaud him for this choice. Invariably, artists' improvisations, performed the second time through a strain, always fall short of the original Joplin. It's as if previous artists have said, "Here's Joplin. Now let's see how I can change it to make it less interesting melodically, harmonically, and rhytmically." Joplin's music holds a certain magic. Reichle conveys this sense exceptionally well. He also refrains from any urge to turn these pieces into finger exercises. Joplin's own notes state, "It is never correct to play ragtime fast." Many or most previous Joplin artists simply play these rags much too fast, drastically altering their character and losing the magic in the process. I sincerely hope that I can look forward to Reichle releasing further volumes of Joplin's music.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Mark Rechle's premier collection of Joplin's earliest piano works. His playing is articulate and exceptionally performed. It's been a pleasure to be introduced to some selections that were completely unfamiliar to me, and I look forward to hearing more in Volume Two. Finally I have a collection in my piano studio that I can use to give my students a clear vision of how Scott Joplin's works should be performed! Thanks, Mark!

This collection of Scott Joplin's work is truly enjoyable to listen to. Mark has done a wonderful job and we look forward to the next volume!

If you are a fan of ragtime music, you will love this CD. Mark Reichle is a masterful performer of the music of Scott Joplin.

Mark Reichle was somehow able to capture the magic of Scott Joplin as I have never heard before. Each selection comes to life as the expressions of Joplin's work are carefully re-told. The recording quality is excellent, and the sound is extremely crisp. If you are not a fan of Ragtime, this will convert you. If you are, then don't miss out on what Ragtime is really all about.

I simply love this album. Am anxiously awaiting for Mark to finish his album series. He plays Joplin as he should by played. I find this album great background and it is playing on my computer almost constantly.

Although I agree with the other reviewers that the performances respect Scott Joplin's intent, they unfortunately lack a great deal in phrasing, rhythm and sense of harmonic progression. Right-hand passagework often takes just a little more time to execute than the left-hand accompaniment permits, creating awkward-sounding moments, particularly at cadences. The accompaniment, while accurate and full-sounding, lacks harmonic direction to help shape phrases. The result is too often reminiscent of a strait-jacketed calliope with an erratic small gear a bit out of sync. I was also disappointed at the total absence of liner notes, hoping to learn more about Joplin and his marvelous output. I purchased this recording on the strength of the previous eight reviews -- now I'm wondering whether they were written by friends and family of Mark Reichle, or perhaps even by him!

I don't know if it's the performer, but this is really some of the most bland and plan piano I've heard in a long time. It might be precise, but technical skill without any sense of emotion is not worth hearing more than once.