Original Rags (1899) - Scott Joplin (With Score / Sheet Music)

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Scott Joplin had already been published by 1899, including a handful of songs, marches, and a waltz. Yet for "Original Rags," it had become his first published rag, although many questions remain concerning the content. It is obviously made up of folk melodies, but it lacks the continuity between sections found in most of his rags, starting with the Maple Leaf Rag published a few months later. Then there is the notation on the cover, "arranged by Charles N. Daniels." At a time when it was still somewhat difficult for black composers to get published, this might infer that Daniels, employed by publisher Carl Hoffman, arranged for that firm to publish the piece, which according to his son is true.

Daniel's grandniece, Nan Bostick, noted that Charlie's son was told his only role was notating it based on Joplin's playing (which could technically constitute arranging), but apparently did not alter it. The notion was that based on a recent hit of his, Daniel's was a known quantity (even at 21) while Joplin did not yet have the reputation with the public. The A and B sections are thin, and more in a cakewalk style while the C section, in a different key but appearing before the reiteration of A, has clear indications of Joplin's hand. Ed Berlin has logically suggested the possibility that Daniels was responsible for the D section, as it bears similarity to a tune previously published by Hoffman called "A Virginny Frolic." But whether Daniels or Joplin adapted this is unclear and it contradicts Daniel's own statement.

The final section is, again, clearly Joplin, and marked the beginning of a remarkable career in ragtime composition. It is interesting to note that some accounts which cannot be reliably confirmed say that Hoffman was also offered Maple Leaf Rag, but he chose the one that was simpler to play, knowing that his best customers were the young women interested in the new ragtime music that they could execute without too much effort. What a turn down that might have been!
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"Original Rags" - Piano Rag - Pattern: Intro A A B B C C Intro1 A D D E E
Music by Scott Joplin, Published by Carl Hoffman in 1899
Cover Artist: Unknown

Music description provided & written by Bill Edwards
© 1998-2024 Bill Edwards

Music performed by Guido Nielsen with his album "Scott Joplin: The Complete Works (Rags, Marches, Waltzes & Songs)"

℗ 2000 Basta Audio-Visuals
Producer: Piet Schreuders
Music Publisher: Basta Music
Performer: Guido Nielsen