Program Notes by Lucinda Mosher, Th.D.

Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin (1868–1917),

arr. Richard W. Sargeant Jr (1830-1915)

If we could ask Scott Joplin which of his piano compositions was his favorite, it is almost certain that he would say: Maple Leaf Rag. What is the origin of its name? Several explanations have been put forth; but, in truth, it is a question with no authenticated answer. We do know, however, that Maple Leaf, which was copyrighted in 1899, became the most famous of Scott Joplin’s piano compositions, and the most lucrative for him. Sales of Maple Leaf Rag sheet music and player-piano rolls gave him a steady, if modest, lifelong income.

This rag is athletic—therefore, more difficult to perform than others Joplin wrote. Like all rags, its tempo and meter are set at the beginning and remain unflinchingly steady throughout. As is typical of the genre, its melody is a sequence of four tunes.

In his orchestration of the Maple Leaf Rag, Richard Sargeant gives the main melody to the violins and high woodwinds. Elsewhere, he has the violins play a portion of a tune, then pass it on to the trumpet who sends it back to high strings.

As the 20th century progressed, Maple Leaf Rag was transcribed for dance band, brass band, and jazz band. In the 1930s, it was featured in a gangster movie. During the ragtime revival of the 1970s, Maple Leaf Rag once again became a bestseller. It has been used in hundreds of cartoons, video games, advertisements, and film soundtracks. It sounds a bit like a jaunty march. We hope it sets your toes to tapping.