Ragtime on Drums at Download2MP3com Today



May 13, 2005 -- Today saw the launch of 30 new world percussion arrangements of Scott Joplin Ragtime pieces at www.download2mp3.com in straight forward MP3 format which can be heard on most MP3 players including iPods. They include the Maple Leaf Rag which was the first Rag to be published as sheet music in 1900 and lesser known pieces such as the Great Crush Collision March from a few years earlier.

Scott Joplin is widely known as the "King of Ragtime", the son of an ex-slave who grew up in Texekarna, he was a talented musician who was lucky enough to receive a classical music education. He worked as a dance musician in towns and cities along the banks of the Mississippi and created a new synthesis of classical music with African American harmony and rhythm. He is the first American composer to be included in the Download2MP3 collection of percussion arrangements of classical music.

Although originally published for piano this music lends itself readily to fresh interpretations on a variety of combinations and permutations of steel drums with marimaba, vibraphone, harp and synthesizers. It refreshes our ears, brings out the counterproint and accentuates the varied moods of Rags, Waltzes, Marches and Novelties including the Entertainer and Easy Winners which featured in "The Sting" movie.

Note to Editors:
HiFi Review copies of a reasonable number of tracks will be made available to bona fide journalists on application to the Webmaster at www.download2mp3.com





Ragtime on Drums at Download2MP3com Today