William Beauvais has written three excellent ragtime works all driven by a desire to pay a tribute to the great Scott Joplin. All are inspired by, and draw direct references from, three of Joplin's best-known pieces, the first, Maple Syrup Slide (inspired by Maple Leaf Rag) is an energetic and vivacious work full of «bounce«; Sunflower Shuffle (inspired by Sunflower Slow Drag) is a cleverly written piece, very much in the Joplin mode. My personal favourite of this trio has to be Bouquet at Dusk (Inspired by Heliotrope Bouquet); this is a slow and lyrical work oozing charm and gracefulness.
This new edition is a «must buy« for the lover of ragtime guitar (and especially anyone with a penchant for the music of Joplin) and is of the intermediate standard.
Steve Marsh (Classical Guitar Magazine)
