Rags & Tangos

Released in 2003 on the Decca label, Rags & Tangos highlights the bridge between late 19th and early 20th-century syncopated music. The album features performances by American pianist Joshua Rifkin, whose meticulous approach to ragtime helped catalyze the genre's revival in the 1970s. By pairing the works of Brazilian composer Ernesto Nazareth—a pioneer of the maxixe and tango-influenced piano style—with the classic ragtime compositions of Joseph F. Lamb and James Scott, the collection demonstrates the international cross-pollination of rhythmic piano traditions.

The album serves as a scholarly yet accessible exploration of how rhythmic structures like the habanera and the tango influenced early ragtime composers. Rifkin’s interpretation is celebrated for its restraint and clarity, eschewing the frantic, upbeat tempos often associated with ragtime in favor of a more nuanced, salon-style delivery. The release was well-received by critics for its thematic depth and for highlighting the aesthetic similarities between the South American tango and the American rag, effectively framing both as sophisticated art music rather than mere novelty pieces.