The Russian Rag - A Piano Roll By Max Kortlander

[swiftonlarue1]

It's a great tune and wonderful piano roll, but that story about George L. Cobb and Rachmaninoff is false.

[Pianosyncrazy]

@swiftonlarue1 I appreciate your opinion, and everyone is entitled to theirs, but the issue is a moot point here. I am glad you like the roll... :)

[KawhackitaRag]

@swiftonlarue1 I agree that the story is untrue. It first appeared (to my knowledge) on Wikipedia a couple of years ago, and caused a bit of a ruckus on the Elite Syncopations ragtime group, since nobody could verify it. I have never before or since seen a mention of George L. Cobb performing in public (although he could have). I also am not sure whether piano was his main instrument, or whether he even played the instrument at all. He was, however, skilled at writing for the piano.

[aknabea]

Better than the classical version!!

[VictrolaJazz]

Even with all kinds of turmoil at the time, happy music still resonated with people!

[Pianosyncrazy]

@VictrolaJazz as it seemingly does today for some... :)

[spiritbrother]

This piece was composed after a friend apparently "dared" Cobb to try to make a rag out of the piece at a restaurant. He took the challenge, went to the piano and began to play the rag. To his surprise, Rachmaninoff was sitting at the same restaurant. He walked up to Cobb after he finished playing his rag and said "Nice rag, but you've got the wrong rhythm."

[Pianosyncrazy]

@spiritbrother ROFL... thanks brother... :)

[HarborGuy]

It's a wonder with the revolution in Russia at the time and W1 in Europe that anyone was dancing. A fun take off tho......I enjoyed it.

[Pianosyncrazy]

@HarborGuy Maybe the Kaiser was ... at least for a short time... LOL

[petermackett37]

A very stylised arrangement of this great old rag!

[Pianosyncrazy]

@petermackett37 Thanks Peter, glad you like it... I had several versions of this, but I kept this roll because of that fact even though it was a duet in parts...

[protte225]

Well, he didn't die until 1944, but the other thing is, he grew to hate that piece because it was the only thing people knew him by and insisted that he play at concerts. But it is amazing if not amusing what they did to well know classical music.

[Pianosyncrazy]

@protte225 I know... and I meant to say otherwise, but it was late... LOL... but thanks for the input and the view.... :)

[Pianosyncrazy]

@protte225 and not to mention the "Misery Rag" (Il Travtore) which was a clever take off on that piece.... wish I still had that roll... :(

[oldbear52]

Pretty wild!

Great sounds from your great old pianola!!!

Thanks for sharing, Dave!

[dogsbody49]

one of my favourites. I am glad you didn't play it too fast as a lot of people do!

[Pianosyncrazy]

@dogsbody49 Thanks ! I do try to keep it down in the tempo department, and although I hate "draggy" perfromances and often err on the up tempo side, I do understand that some rags, especially Joplin's are meant not to be rushed. Thanks again for the view.....