Rags & Tangos

Released by Decca in 2004, this collection serves as a refined survey of ragtime and related piano compositions, bridging the gap between the Brazilian tangos of Ernesto Nazareth and the classic American ragtime of Joseph F. Lamb and James Scott. The release is anchored by the performances of Joshua Rifkin, a musicologist and pianist who was pivotal in the 1970s ragtime revival. His approach to these pieces emphasizes a lyrical, deliberate tempo that contrasts with the fast-paced, jaunty interpretations often associated with the genre, seeking to highlight the structural sophistication and subtle nuances of the compositions.

The album is noted for its scholarly curation and the interpretative choices of Rifkin, who approached the works of Lamb and Scott not as mere popular novelties, but as serious contributions to the American musical canon. By pairing these composers with the rhythmic vitality of Nazareth's work, the album provides listeners with a cohesive look at the evolution of syncopated piano music at the turn of the 20th century. Upon its release, the collection was well-received by classical music critics for its technical precision and its role in legitimizing ragtime as a significant form of Western art music.