I have a question about Scott Joplin's "Bethena." Should the rolled chord in the RH, meas. 28 (before the key change to B-flat) be played on the beat (E-flat in the thumb lining up with the LH octave) or before the beat (F-natural on top lining up with LH). I can think of a case for either approach, what are your opinions (and why, of course)?

The easy answer is that there's no easy answer. (This issue is not limited to this piece, to Joplin or even to music for the piano.)

It's comparable to the topic of whether appogggiaturas (i.e., "grace notes") should executed before the beat or on the beat, or whether trills should begin on the main note or the auxiliary. In all cases, opinions differ as to which is correct; most musicians and scholars believe it's a matter of musical context and historical style. Common practices in performance have apparently evolved over time, too.

My best recommendation to you is to seek out recordings of this piece by performers whom you consider to have good judgment and taste, and then use your own judgment.

Sorry this isn't more helpful, but I hope it helps anyway.

Steven

I do mine before the beat and stretch the whole thing out dramatically; here's my version:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oBN02LnDY3I

Beautiful tone and style, Larisa!

As it is marked tenuto, one could argue that it should be played on the beat. I'm leaning to playing it before the beat, as the top note prepares for the start of the melody being doubled at the octave in the strain that follows.