John Arpin plays Bohemia Rag at the Bohem Festival

The 16th Bohem Ragtime & Jazz Festival (www.bohemragtime.com) in Kecskemet, Hungary in March 2007 was one of John Arpin's last appearances. John passed away 6 months later in cancer. Here he was weak but vivid and his playing is marvellous as ever. He performs Joe Lamb's Bohemia Rag.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bohem
• ragtime
• jazz
• festival
• kecskemet
• hungary
• arpin
• bohemia
• rag
• lamb
• ittzes

[steinwaygrande1]

Why the hell is this video no longer available ?? Can someone enlighten us please

[fobohem]

Steinwaygrand, it is available. I uploadd it but now I don't have access to any YouTube videos but there must be a problem with my player in my computer. I can't download the newest version. I don't know if there was a change at YouTube but I have the same problem with other sites, too, so it's MY problem. I never took the Arpin-video away, it must be visible on YouTube. Tamas

[curtmcd]

That is simply awe-inspiring-- both the perfect expressive playing and the magnificent arrangement. I wish I could play 10% that well!

[iwinslett]

John Arpin. Wow. I grew up with his recordings, and as a pianist, it was years before I realized how lucky I was. This man truly inspired me to become a concert artist.

[RicAbapo]

And i am back, hearing this again! Gosh, still feels so wonderful listening to this! And stil no dislikes! oh wow, i love John Arpin and his music so much!

[Koulkrith]

@superdot36

With all due respect... Mr Lamb, is Mr Lamb... you are yourself... and Mr Arpin is Mr Arpin... Everything is a matter of choice... And your choice, although as valuable as Mr Arpin's one, "should" not be imposed to anyone. I think that's what people call freedom...

PS : By the way... I'm absolutely fond of this version of Bohemia. And I heard a lot of them.

[RicAbapo]

ah, i'm just so blessed everytime i listen to this!

[RicAbapo]

the Nth time i watched this video! ahhaa.. tsk, never fails to soothe me and gives me a wonderful mood. well, that's the power of ragtime! ahha.. 

[diegoradu]

The first Jazz Piano player that has sentiment when playing , the experience is showing up!

[CooCurrent]

Personally I think he is one of the best piano-players in the world! Absolutely amazing! I was saddened to hear of his death a few years ago.

[pianosydney]

Greetings from Australia--this man was such a beautiful player. I love the refinement and colour he brings to ragtime. He manages to capture all the humour, the warmth, the dignity in the writing of these masters and doesn't lose the rhythmic vitality in the process. I'm hoping to do a programme for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation of many of these compositions, as they are not as well known here, the exception being Joplin of course. It is such wonderful music.

[Zalgud]

Great ragtime comes from the heart - not from a printed score, and this is great ragtime. Ragtime is all about interpretation - something you should KNOW if you've been playing for 25 years, and if this isn't the way Lamb scored the piece, perhaps it should have been! A marvelous, moving performance by an incredible pianist - something you, superdot36, I'm sure, would like to be, but never will, hence your snide, totally unwarranted comment.

[sirpaul1821]

excellent pianist

[superdot36]

Interesting version. Yet the printed score of Bohemia should be respected ... that is what Lamb expected. I have played it for over than 25 years.