Scott Joplin
American composer and pianist, King of Ragtime.
Joplin considered ragtime a form of classical music meant for concert halls and disdained its performance as honky tonk music in saloons.
- field
- Composer, pianist
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- King of Ragtime; 'Maple Leaf Rag'; Treemonisha opera
Lore & Background
Joplin grew up in a musical family of railway laborers in Linden, Texas. Joplin received rudimentary musical education from his family and, from age seven, played piano while his mother cleaned. His father left the family in the early 1880s. At 16, Joplin performed in a vocal quartet and played piano, guitar, and mandolin.
Reader's Guide
In the late 1880s, Joplin became a traveling musician, performing in the American South.
Did You Know?
- He received most of his musical education from Julius Weiss, a German-born Jewish music professor who taught him free of charge from age 11 to 16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Scott Joplin?
Scott Joplin was an American composer and pianist who earned the nickname "King of Ragtime" for his pioneering work in the genre. He is best remembered for his rag compositions and his ambitious opera Treemonisha.
What is Scott Joplin's most famous composition?
His "Maple Leaf Rag" is his signature piece, becoming the first major hit of the ragtime era and later being recognized as the definitive example of the style.
How did Scott Joplin view ragtime music?
Joplin firmly believed ragtime belonged in concert halls as a legitimate form of classical music. He looked down on its casual performance in saloons and honky tonks, seeing that context as a distortion of the art form.
Why is Scott Joplin considered important in music history?
He is widely regarded as the foundational figure of ragtime, with "Maple Leaf Rag" establishing the template that shaped the entire genre's development. His ambition to elevate the form into a respected art-music tradition set a standard that still resonates today.
What is Scott Joplin's Treemonisha?
Treemonisha is an opera composed by Joplin, representing his most ambitious attempt to bring a Black American story to the concert stage. It is considered a landmark work in the history of American opera.
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