Disklavier

On 26 Feb 2005 at 13:27, Freehold Computer Training wrote:

> I never realized that Chopin and some other great composers
> performed and created some piano rolls. Or was Chopin's piece
> performed by someone else "as if Chopin" performed it? 

Around the turn of the century (~1915-1930), the legendary 
masters of the piano were offered the opportunity to record 
their performances on a disk or on a paper roll.    

Phonographs of that era produced playback quite disappointing to 
the ear of an artist, albeit quite satisfying to the ears of the 
buying public.

Conversely, recording for piano rolls made it possible for such 
artists to hear a reperformance of their own artistic styles in 
a very authentic manner on a "reproducing" piano.    From their 
viewpoint, very satisfying.

Conventional player pianos typically "play" a piano roll with 
nothing more than a melody line, sustain and sometimes soft 
pedal effects.    Expression could be introduced by the owner by 
the manner in which they pedalled the bellows.    

Reproducing pianos are sophisticated forms of player pianos 
having the ability to faithfully "reproduce" the expression and 
intent of the original artist.     Piano rolls aimed at such 
pianos have additional dynamics coded into their margins.    

A well-restored reproducing piano is the next best thing to 
bringing Rachmaninoff, and his professional artistic colleagues  
of that era, back to life to perform for you personally, 
privately, in the warmth and comfort of your own living room.    
It is truly magnificent.    

That's the up-side.   The down-side was their price - typically 
about $1,000, no contest against a $20 phonograph.

Chopin, Liszt and other such piano composers and artists pre-
date the development of the player piano.     However, their 
compositions were routinely performed a century ago under a 
recording contract, no differently than contemporary recording 
artists today.    

Little did these legenday masters know at the time that their 
authentic piano artistry was being preserved for all time 
through the magic of the reproducing piano.     In recent years, 
the Disklavier and its contemporary competitors are providing a 
genuine rebirth of the player piano.

Hope this helps a little to shed some light on a unique slice of 
our musical heritage.

Regards,

Terry Smythe

Terry Smythe                           204-832-3982 (land line)
55 Rowand Avenue                   204-981-3229 (cell)
Winnipeg, MB, Canada   R3J 2N6           smythe@...
Preserving our Musical Heritage
http://members.shaw.ca/smythe/rebirth.htm