King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin and His Era
Edward A. Berlin
http://www.edwardaberlin.com/
http://www.edwardaberlin.com/
Scott Joplin
(Queens Gazette)
(Queens Gazette)
Scott Joplin (c.1867-1917) is profiled at AfriClassical.com,
which features a Bibliography and comprehensive Works List for by Dr. Dominique-René de
Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com.
On May 16 at 2 p.m. St. Michael’s Cemetery will host the Annual Scott
Joplin Concert. The concert has become the herald of spring with an
Open Air Concert and free BBQ for the entire community.
Ragtime composer Scott Joplin was buried at St. Michael’s in 1917.
Evidence indicates he was a congregant of St. Michael’s Church located
in Manhattan. Joplin
became famous for advancing ragtime as a musical genre that won the
hearts and minds of Americans during the early 20th century. “Maple Leaf
Rag” was his signature creation that he had hoped would be played when
he was interred at St. Michael’s. Joplin’s wife refused to have her
husband’s wishes honored. Years later, a group of musicians from Brooklyn,
determined to honor the last request of Joplin, did play Maple Leaf Rag
at his gravesite. They also dedicated a plaque to the renowned artist
that remains to mark the location of his final resting place.
***
Ed Berlin, a Joplin scholar will once again be in attendance speaking
of the era of Joplin and his impact on the American music sense. Dan
Levinson and his Canary Cottage Dance Orchestra will happily return to
St. Michael’s to lead the musical celebration
.
The concert is open to all. Join with the community in a day of music, fun and BBQ.
Comment by email:
Thank you, Bill. I wonder about "Evidence indicates he was a congregant of St. Michael’s Church located in Manhattan." I've never come across such evidence, and would like to know more, if it actually exists. (But I'm sure you're aware of the casual relationship newspaper reporters have with authentic fact.) Also, though the admirers who played the first grave site performance spoke of raising funds for a marker, it was actually put there by ASCAP, independent of the group. Regarding my pre-concert talk, if I give it--I've occasionally been pre-empted by a funeral being held in the chapel--it will be at 1:15. A new edition of my Joplin biography is in production; should be out around September.
I don't recall if we've ever spoken, but I've looked in on your site many times over the years. If you get to the St. Michael's event, please stop by for a talk. Ed [Edward A. Berlin]
Comment by email:
Thank you, Bill. I wonder about "Evidence indicates he was a congregant of St. Michael’s Church located in Manhattan." I've never come across such evidence, and would like to know more, if it actually exists. (But I'm sure you're aware of the casual relationship newspaper reporters have with authentic fact.) Also, though the admirers who played the first grave site performance spoke of raising funds for a marker, it was actually put there by ASCAP, independent of the group. Regarding my pre-concert talk, if I give it--I've occasionally been pre-empted by a funeral being held in the chapel--it will be at 1:15. A new edition of my Joplin biography is in production; should be out around September.
I don't recall if we've ever spoken, but I've looked in on your site many times over the years. If you get to the St. Michael's event, please stop by for a talk. Ed [Edward A. Berlin]
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