Silver Swan Rag (c. 1914/71) - Scott Joplin (With Score / Sheet Music)

Inarguably the most significant discovery on Joplin beyond his death, "The Silver Swan" (later known simply as Silver Swan Rag) is the only score known to not be first published via notation. (In Joplin's case that is.) First appearing as a piano roll in 1914 under the National & QRS labels, there has been no record of an pre-existing manuscript used to create/arrange the work nor an "official" notation afterwards within Joplin's life.
As both the Ragtime craze & interest in player piano tech had began to fade out, it can be presumed that the original issued rolls were rather limited in quantity or simply not up to par when it came to sales. This is rather interesting to note as the lovely tune would go virtually unknown for over half a century until the National version of the roll resurfaced in the garage of Albert Huerta, a noted roll collector in Los Angeles.
With the roll merely referencing Joplin by name and the absence of any catalog number, it had later been brought to the attention of the local Maple Leaf Club of Los Angeles for review on it's credibility. Regardless of doubt & debate, it's discovery during the same year "The Collected Works of Scott Joplin" was being assembled led to it's inclusion by time of publication in 1971, with it's first official notation based upon the roll. Perhaps by fate or simple coincidence, a QRS version of the roll would be discovered shortly after with Joplin formally credited and a certified catalog number.
Serving a triumphant victory for the Ragtime community & Joplin's overall legacy, the work had also come around to benefit his aged widow Ms. Lottie Joplin Thomas. This was taken care of upon the piece being assigned it's copyright to the Lottie Joplin Thomas Trust upon it's initial publication back in 1971.
A quaint- charming piece with clear influence from his opera and other explored avenues during his last chapter, "Silver Swan" surely is not a piece to be mistaken as unoriginal.
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"The Silver Swan/Silver Swan Rag" - Classic Piano Rag - Pattern: Intro A A B B A Trio Trio Intro A
Music by Scott Joplin, published by Lottie Joplin Thomas Trust in 1971 (Notation)
Cover Artist (1971 First Ed.): Unknown
Cover Artist (Updated Cover): Steve Clayton
Music description provided & written by Bill Edwards
© 1998-2024 Bill Edwards
Music performed by Guido Nielsen with his album "Scott Joplin: The Complete Works (Rags, Waltzes & Songs)"
℗ 2000 Basta Audio-Visuals
Producer: Piet Schreuders
Music Publisher: Basta Music