Queens Gazette: Scott Joplin Honored at 10th Annual Concert at St. Michael's Cemetery, East Elmhurst; Finale: "We Will Rest Awhile" from "Treemonisha"

King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin and His Era

Edward A. Berlin
http://www.edwardaberlin.com/

Scott Joplin (c.1867-1917) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a Bibliography and comprehensive Works List by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com.

Queens Gazette

Ragtime Legend Joplin Honored With Annual Concert  

Jason D. Antos

Hundreds of ragtime music enthusiasts came to St. Michael’s Cemetery in East Elmhurst to enjoy the 10th annual salute to the “King of Ragtime,” Scott Joplin. The May 16 concert featured live music performed by Dan Levinson and his Canary Cottage Dance Orchestra who played two hours of famous ragtime tunes, including Joplin’s “The Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer,” all just 100 yards away from Joplin’s grave. The golden voice of Molly Ryan enchanted the crowd with songs that included “Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland.”

St. Michael’s Cemetery Musical Director Ed Berlin, an authority on Joplin and author of the biography, King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin and His Era, gave a slideshow presentation and was on hand to answer any questions and share information about the history of ragtime.

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During his career, Joplin wrote 44 original ragtime pieces before dying at the age of 49 on Apr. 1, 1917, in Manhattan.

In 1976, Joplin was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer Prize.

The concert ended with the annual serenade at Joplin’s grave where the Victorian Vaudeville Quartet performed “We Will Rest Awhile,” from the opera, Treemonisha, written by Joplin in 1910.