My favorite James Scott composition has long been Evergreen Rag, published by Stark Music Co. in 1915. The G major opening section is bright and cheerful. The B section—recapitulated at the end of the piece, like in most Scott rags—is one of Scott’s most interesting: the bassline countermelody in this section is well-shaped, descending when the right hand melody climbs. The C major trio is very simply syncopated with an eighth-quarter-eighth note pattern, contrasting well with the rhythms of other sections.
In several places (ms. 1-2 and 9-10 of the B section, the entire trio and ensuing bridge), James Scott forsook his typical thick chordings in favor of sparer textures, to beguiling effect. Max Morath’s recording of Evergreen Rag—from his World of Scott Joplin Vol. 2 album—is notable for its sensitivity. The sheet music for Evergreen Rag can be found at imslp.org.
