There seems to be a misconception that ragtime music died along with the western saloons and brothels in which it reached its fruition. That isn’t true. If you grew up playing Nintendo, you may not even realize that you are a huge ragtime fan. You know dozens of ragtime hits and hearing them will probably take you back to a special place in childhood.
To introduce people to the genre, YouTube user Keeper1st had well-known ragtime pianist Tom Brier sight read, with no prior exposure, some scores from classic Nintendo games. Here is a sampling. It’s amazing to see Tom analyze the score and then one his second or third time through, add so much life to it.
Take a few minutes to realize just how much ragtime is part of your history. It may blossom into a new love for you to explore.
Athletic Mario
The end of Super Mario Brothers
The end of The Legend of Zelda
Snow Mountain Theme from Mario
Mario Party “Faster Than All” Music
Final Fantasy VI: Spinach Rag (Really ‘Pineapple Rag’ by Scott Joplin)
Final Fantasy IX: Treno, The City That Never Sleeps
Mario Kart Yoshi Valley
Mario Bros. 2 Theme
Pokemon Red/Blue Game Corner Theme
Nyan Cat
Skip to the 3:58 mark after Tom has had a chance to see the score and figure out what he wants to do with it. He then brings Nyan cat to life.
[mainbodyad]
