A pulsating piano solo by a black composer published 125 years ago this fall became an unexpected bestseller, drew droves of young people to the piano, and became an enduring classic of American music ...

Oh go ‘way, man, I can hypnotize disnation, I can shake de earth’s foundation wid de Maple Leaf Rag! Oh go ‘way, man, just hold yo’ breath a minnit, For there’s not a stunt that’s in it, wid de Maple ...