Scott Joplin

Description

Scott Joplin was an African American composer and pianist who was born in 1868 in Texarkana, Texas. He is widely known as one of the most influential figures in the development of ragtime music, which is a genre of music that originated in the United States in the late 19th century. Joplin was the creator of a unique and distinct musical style, which was characterized by the use of syncopated rhythms and intricate melodies. He wrote over 100 pieces of music, including his best–known work, “The Entertainer” (1902).

Joplin was the son of an ex–slave who became a successful businessman. He began playing the piano as a child and soon after was composing his own music. He studied music in college, where he was exposed to a variety of genres, including march, classical, and popular music. This variety of styles eventually helped him construct his own ragtime style, which he called “ragged time.” Joplin’s music was popular throughout the United States in the early 1900s, and he published many of his pieces in local newspapers and magazines. He gained fame when he wrote the opera Treemonisha (1911), which was the first opera composed by an African American.

The opera was not immediately successful, however, and it was only after Joplin’s death that it gained the broad recognition it deserved. Joplin’s music was not appreciated until after his death in 1917. It was only then that the public began to recognize his genius and influence on music. He was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1976, and he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977.

Today, Joplin’s music is appreciated throughout the world. His works are often performed in classical concerts, jazz clubs, and on the radio. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of American music, and his influence on the development of ragtime music is undeniable.