This review is from: Rags & Tangos (Audio CD) Along with Rifkin's indispensable recordings of Scott Joplin's rags, this CD belongs in the collection of anyone with more than a passing interest in ragtime. For those who may be unfamiliar with Rifkin, let me quickly mention that this is NOT honky-tonk ragtime! If you're looking for an out-of-tune piano playing "Five Foot Two," you've come to the wrong place. These pieces are American (North and South) classics, played on a concert grand piano. Rifkin beautifully articulates the rags of James Scott, Joseph Lamb, and tangos of the great Brazilian composer Ernesto Nazareth. Even those who chided Rifkin's Joplin recordings as "dull" may be pleasantly surprised by the energy and pep with which Rifkin attacks some of these pieces. Even so, his signature classical approach remains intact--he plays the pieces as written, as the composers intended. Rifkin's touch is graceful and elegant; he avoids taking these pieces too fast, allowing their rhythmic and harmonic subtelties to shine. Just as many consider Rifkin's Joplin recordings to be the definitive interpretations, I consider the recordings on this disc to be the definitive interpretations of these pieces. I've heard countless other recordings of the Scott and Lamb pieces on this disc, but none match the evenness, feeling, or sheer quality of Rifkin's performances. The composers on this disc were several notches above most other popular composers of their day, and in this recording, it is immediately clear why. These are beautiful pieces, tinged with a hint of melancholy. The mix of American rags and Brazilian tangos works wonderfully, the pieces complement each other very well. I pull this CD out often--it's great for studying, reading, driving, or just listening. Some of my favorites are Lamb's "Ragtime Nightingale" and "Topliner Rag," Scott's "Evergreen Rag" and "Troubadour Rag" and Nazareth's "Fon-Fon" and "Nove de Julho." This last one is particularly beautiful and haunting. No ragtime or even classical music enthusiast should be without this CD. Highly recommended!