Lecture on Scott Joplin and Ragtime

Introduction

• Sponsored by Skillshare.
• Discusses the influence and legacy of Scott Joplin's music, particularly "The Entertainer."

The Entertainer

• Recognizable piano line from the 20th century.
• Evokes different images and feelings for different people: Western saloons, silent movies, ice cream trucks.
• The historical context of the piece is often forgotten.

Scott Joplin's Legacy

• Known as the "King of Ragtime."
• Major figure in American music history.
• Died young, penniless, buried in an unmarked grave.
• His work influences American music and society today.

Ragtime Music

• Origins
  • Derived from John Philip Sousa's marches and African folk music.
  • Syncopation is a key feature.
• Influences
  • Minstrel music and dances like the cakewalk.
  • African folk music with emphasis on syncopation.

Scott Joplin's Contributions

• Popular Works
  • "Maple Leaf Rag" (1899), first instrumental music to sell over a million copies.
  • Codified the ragtime genre with songs like "Maple Leaf Rag" and "Original Rags."
• Musical Techniques
  • Modulation: Shifting tonal centers within a song, e.g., "The Entertainer."
  • Sections follow a pattern of A, A, B, B, A, C, C, D, D.
  • Emphasized tempo: Ragtime not meant to be played fast.

Joplin's Ambitions

• Sought recognition for black musicians as serious songwriters.
• Treemonisha (Opera)
  • Mixed ragtime with classical music.
  • Aimed to push civil rights and promote education.
  • Self-published, only small staging in Harlem.
  • Posthumously recognized as a masterpiece, Pulitzer Prize awarded in 1976.

Influence on Future Music

• Inspired musicians like Irving Berlin, Fats Waller, and Jelly Roll Morton.
• Laid groundwork for the development of jazz.

Revival of Joplin's Music

• 1970: Ragtime revival initiated by Joshua Rifkin's recordings.
• "The Entertainer" featured in "The Sting," reviving interest in Joplin's music.
• Treemonisha premiered in 1972, gaining recognition.
• Joplin's grave marked in 1974.

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