I was on the verge of liking this performance until I noticed Loeb's tendency to rush the tempo toward the end of each strain and to play the 16th notes too squarely and without nuanced contours. Then came the staccato downbeats or the B-strain and of the "counterpoint" - like phrases of the C-strain and I realized that Mr. Loeb does not understand the syntax of Joplin's music in which staccato is an anathema. The repeats were literally the same with no new tactic or narrative motivation. Yawn.
I was on the verge of liking this performance until I noticed Loeb's tendency to rush the tempo toward the end of each strain and to play the 16th notes too squarely and without nuanced contours. Then came the staccato downbeats or the B-strain and of the "counterpoint" - like phrases of the C-strain and I realized that Mr. Loeb does not understand the syntax of Joplin's music in which staccato is an anathema. The repeats were literally the same with no new tactic or narrative motivation. Yawn.
MooPotPie 1 month ago
One of my favorite pieces of Scott Joplin!
Keep doing the good work!
Dafoodmaster 7 months ago