“Bolcom is known as a pianist who made excellent LPs of ragtime, Gershwin, and several types of American 'vernacular' music. He claims three American idols: Charles Ives, Scott Joplin and George Gershwin ... his music is firmly rooted in the popular American melodic tradition with a great emotional range ... 1968 slipped past without any recognition that it marked the centenary of one of America's most remarkable composers; possibly the first genuinely American composer - Scott Joplin ... Euphonic Sounds illustrates how adventurous this composer could be and also provides a near-perfect example of ragtime - a little masterpiece” (Gramophone).