BY AARON DAVIS
St. Michael's Cemetery in East Elmhurst is gearing up for its fourth annual Celebration of the Music of Scott Joplin, to be held May 17 in recognition of one of the neighborhood's famous interred residents.
Featuring a presentation of Joplin's life and music by a renowned ragtime scholar; a demonstration from a piano player; music from an accomplished pianist; a performance of Joplin's only opera; and over 400 hot dogs and hamburgers, the celebration is set to be lively.
“St. Michael's celebrates life, Scott Joplin is a symbol of that,” said Ed Horn, St. Michael's public relations director. “We celebrate every life of every family that is entrusted to St. Michael's.”
The celebration will start at 2 p.m. with a Pre-Concert Ragtime Discussion led by Dr. Edward A. Berlin, a leading Joplin and ragtime authority. Berlin wrote three books and published more than 100 articles on the topic. His book “King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin and His Era” is the most thoroughly documented study of Joplin.
At 2:30 p.m., Randolph Herr, a collector, restorer and exhibitor of early 20th century mechanical instruments, will demonstrate the Vorsetzer Push-Up Pianola Piano Player. A player is put in front of an independent piano, where a piano roll is placed into it and plays the piano. Used for classic music, Herr will present a number of rare piano rolls by Joplin and other ragtime composers.
At 3:30 p.m., Richard Dowling, an accomplished pianist, will perform. He has won accolades worldwide and performed over 700 concerts. He will showcase his love for ragtime.
At 4 p.m., the Presbyterian Church of St. Albans will perform Joplin's only opera: “Treemonisha.” It has been asked to perform again after last year's show's rave reviews.
A famous African-American composer, Joplin is best known for his songs “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer.” While his exact birth date is unknown, he died on April 1, 1917, and was interred in an unmarked pauper's grave April 5.
Joplin asked that “Maple Leaf Rag,” which made him temporary fortune and long-lasting fame, be played at his funeral, but his wife declined, citing indecency. In 1974, the Brooklyn Opera Society rededicated his grave with his name and played “Maple Leaf Rag,” as per his request.
“Every week we have people coming with backpacks asking where Scott Joplin's grave is,” Horn said. “After the late 1800s, cemeteries became parks where families would come to visit the site of a loved one.”
Joplin shares a cemetery with notables Granville Woods, often referred to as the “Black Thomas Edison,” and Frank Costello, underworld boss of La Cosa Nostra.
Those wishing to attend the celebration should R.S.V.P. to St. Michael's at 718-278-3240 or stop by the cemetery at 72-02 Astoria Blvd. in East Elmhurst
