THE JAZZO-MANIAC AND HER VICTIM _,n.: -,_,_._~~~ ----~.. ~---,_._- )f:}1 ;'C;'~:-~':'-': ~:~~~:;. '...:~.- . . ,'. :~':,~:: ", ,~:. . , :~ . "':.:. :': ··~(d;::y.o :::(~-,~ .' -.:' " ': ..... :,t" .. ,., "'/ .. '.' •" •• I~ .', J ·.···i . .' -- '4}:;:' ...... ~ ·i I" i, ':-- . ! ': i· . ; . :"~' :.... t: , ." , r.. ! 'j ; " t, ....,
j i: I I i
: .~ ~ " !
...... ; : .. ; r
i' . ~:... "... .! i I /for~nqre,:thcin-K~lf I., . j cf\aracte~ ":J ;.1 a century' ~.: iied.by-.t\ 'distinctive ,.' , ::-tol\e~ qu(\lity~,' ' .., t I" ..' "J i . t\~d .~: ... ;1 l rlch-,:pure, t I :' .·.~y~p~t~~ttc~. i
ENtJORSEpay LEADING .. ~. ',Music'ANS~: '- '~ .' '.- . .,.. .,\... ··t, . ", / . ", US~DP~~LUS~VE~Y BY. TH~ "; ....
TON~IfD c. M.ETROPOLlTA~,.\~~J -'
.. ,'OPERA .COMPANY•. ; .; ..:.'. 'f' .'. .:. . u· )-~ 1~ ~ ~ '.. '~''~. j ~ I •.~.., .... .' . .~. ..' . - .. . '.. .' '.' _ ..,. I:...•..... :: ...' '.~ ~~ I.•··:: TItEWEBERPIANOCOMPANY '. < ~/' 'FI~THAVE.COR: SIXTEENTH~ST~"~<':< . I..' ;', .' . i J :'.. ':. '_;, AND~T ,~OLIAN HALL,~2. Fl~TIi AV~.,N~~~~.~K:- ~ , > ~": , "'>. '., ~'""::' •• CATAt.DCiUr. MAIL-ItO UPON RIt~U.aT. ...•...... '.~ ,.,.~ .,
[ ,,~; ~> ,~,::~;~~~~ ;~·::.~,L':c·~Sjtt~'·~~€:: ~ ! L:: .. c '.'"r ,'. <\ -----.. THE AMICA BULLETIN AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTORS' ASSOCIATION ~ Published by the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Association, a non-profit, tax exempt group devoted to the restoration, distribution and enjoyment of musical instruments using perforated paper music rolls. AMICA was founded.in San Francisco, California in 1963. ROBIN PRAn, PUBLISHER, 515 scan STREET, SANDUSKY, OH 44870-3736 - Phone 419-626-1903 Associate Editors: Emmett M. Ford, Larry Givens and Richard J. Howe
VOLUME 30, Number 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 1993
FEATURES Display and Classified Ads Preserving Interpretations of Our Noted Pianists 4 Articles for Publication Letters to the Publisher Ragtime Piano Rolls 7 Chapter News Pianola "Pizazz" 9 Single copies of back issues ($5.00 per issue - based Most Expensive Duo-Art Roll - III 14 upon availability) WURLITZER - R.I.P. 15 Robin Pratt DEPARTMENTS _ 515 Scott Street Sandusky, OH 44870-3736 AMICA Officers, Chapter Officers; Affiliates 2 419 - 626-1903 President/Publisher's Notes 3 UPCOMING PUBLICATION DEADLINES Chapter News 20 ~- The ads and articles must be received Classified Ads 30 by the Publisher on the 1st of the Odd months: January March COVER AKI': May Outside front The front cover is from THE ETUDE magazine, 1922. July September The Jazzomaniac and Her Victim November "Why have the words Jazz and Jagg the same meaning?" asks the humorist. Bulletins will be mailed on the 1st week "Because they are both an irregular, jerky movemellt from bar to bar," chortles of the even months..0 the joker. The world has been passing through a kind of musical jambouree. Jazz, with all its symptoms, was literally a species of musical intoxication. Starting in America, it spread over all the globe. Out of the me'/e'e came a few minds which had been trained in the better schools of music. With great ingenuity, Whiteman, Gershwin, Lopez, Lange, and others, modified and beautified the Jazz orchestra until the results were often surprisingly interesting. Thus we believe that Jazz, like new wine, is puri New Memberships fying itself. Renewals That it will unquestionably have a bearing upon American music of the future Address changes and corrections is generally conceded. How could it be otherwise? The ears of our children have Directory information updates been filled to the brim with these inebriating rhythms, for years. When maturity and Additional copies of ,training of the right kind is given to these youngsters the "pep" of Jazz will still Member Directory remain in their subconscious minds. Like the voice of an epoch it will appear in Mike Barnhart its proper way and in its proper place and at the proper time. 919 Lantern Glow Trail The old Jazz ofthe screeching Jazzomaniac will not torture victims much longer. Dayton, Ohio 45431 Our sympathies go out to the old gentleman on the cover of this month's issue. He is merely one of the thousands of parents who have invested in a musical education 513-254-5580 for daughters only to hear as a result the abominations ofJazz. Now that the fashion To ensure timely delivery of your for Jazz is passing and better music taking its place, we may look forward to a time BUlLETIN, please allow 6-weeks ----: when our aural tympani will not be shattered by a pandemonium of horrible noises. advance notice of address changes. ~ Back cover: Ad from 1925 Music Trades Magazine
Entire contents © 1993 AMICA International AMICA INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS CHAYfER OFFICERS ,.... PRFSIDENT Mel Septon BOSTON AREA NORTHERN LIGHTS /" 9045 North Karlov Pres. Bill Koenigsberg Pres: Craig Remmon Skokie, Illinois 60076 Vice Pres: Tony Misianos Vice Pres: Donald Jones 708-679-3455 Sec: Charlie Randazzo & Sec: Jason Beyer Barbara McFall Treas: Robert & Katheryn Dumas Reporter: Kay Dumas Treas: Alan Jayne PAST PRFSIDENT Ron Connor Ruth Anderson Route 4, Rogers, Arkansas 7lJ56 Reporter: Don Brown Board Rep: Craig Rernmon 501-636-1749 Bd. Rep: Sandy Libman PffiLADELPHIA AREA VICE PRFSIDENT Maurice Willyard CffiCAGOAREA Pres: Paul Dietz 1988 NW Palmer Lane Pres: Marty Persky Vice Pres: Brian Helfrich Vice Pres: Dee Kabouras Sec: Diane Wagner Bremerton, WA 98310 Sec: James Doheny Treas: Bob Taylor Treas: Elsa Pekarek Reporter: Lynn Wigglesworth SECRETARY Sally Lawrence Board Rep: Bob Rosencrans 837 Coventry Road Reporter: Margaret Bizberg Bd. Rep: Mike Schwimmer Kensington, California 94707 SIERRA-NEVADA Pres: Bob Patton 415-526-8438 FOUNDING CHAPI'ER Vice Pres: Kathy Cochran Pres: Don Ellison Sec: Tom Hawthorn TREASURER Janet Tonnesen Vice Pres: Pat Clemens Treas: Virginia Clark 903 Sandalwood Sec: Bing Gibbs Reporter: Ed Baehr Richardson, Texas 75080 Treas: Sandy Swirsky Board Rep: Ray Bauer 214-235-4497 Reporter: Rob Thomas SOWNY (Southern Ontario, Bd. Rep: Bob Wilcox Western NY) PUBLISHER Robin Pratt Pres: John Cairns 515 Scott Street GATEWAY CHAPI'ER Vice Pres: Rick Drewniak Sandusky, Ohio 44870-3736 Pres: Cynthia Craig Sec: Anne Lemon 419-626-1903 Vice Pres: Joe Lorberg Treas: Holly Walter Sec: Membership Sec: Mike Walter (Amer.) MEMBERSmp SECRETARY Mike Barnhart Treas: Dorothy Ruprecht Laurie Taylor (Can.) 919 Lantern Glow Trail Historian: Larry Hollenberg Photographer: Bill McCleary Board Rep: Cynthia Craig Reporter: Ada Cairns Dayton, Ohio 45431 Board Rep: Nancy & Ed Group 513-254-5580 HEART OF AMERICA SOUTHEAST AREA r Pres: Linda Bird Pres: David Oppenheim COMMITTEES Vice Pres: Bill Pohl Vice Pres: John Daly Sec/Treas: Betty Ann Olmsted TECHNICAL Harold Malakinian Sec: Wayne Fisher Reporter: Willa Daniels Treas: Don Winter 2345 Forest Trail Dr., Troy, MI 48098 Board Rep: Ron Bopp Reporter: Wayne Fisher Board Rep: John O'Laughlin ARCHIVES Bob Rosencrans LADY LIBERTY 109 Cumberland Place, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Pres: Bill Albrecht SOUTHERN CHAPTER Vice Pres: Joe Conklin Pres: Shirley Nix PUBLICATIONS Robin Pratt Vice Pres: Herb Mercer 515 Scott St., Sandusky, OH 44870 Sec: Richard Carlson Treas: John Ellems Sec: Frank Nix Treas: Ken Hodge AUDIO-VISUAL Harold Malakinian Reporter: Randy Herr Reporter: Ken Hodge 2345 Forest Trail Drive, Troy, MI 48098 Board Rep: Diane Polan Board Rep: Mary Lilien MIDWEST CONVENTION COORDINAlUR Liz Barnhart TEXAS 919 Lantern Glow Trail, Dayton, OH 45431 Pres: Edwin Ward Pres: Sal Mete Sec: John Fischer Vice Pres: Wade Newton HONORARY MEMBERS Dorothy Bromage Treas: Alvin Wulfekuhl Sec/Treas: Janet Tonnesen 157 School Street, Gorham, ME 04038 Reporter: Jim Weisenbome Reporter: Bob Butters Board Rep: Liz Barnhart Board Rep: Richard Tonnesen
______AFFILIATED SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS _
AUSTRALIAN COLLECTORS INTERNATIONAL PIANO NETHERLANDS MECHANICAL PLAYER PIANO GROUP OF MECHANICAL MUSICAL ARCHIVES AT MARYLAND ORGAN SOCIETY - KDV (England) INSTRUMENTS Neil Ratliff, Music Library lL.M. Van Dinteren Frances Broadway c/o 4 Lobellia Street Hornbake 3210 Postbus 147 39 Sydner Road Chatswood, N.S.W. 2067, College Park, Maryland 20742 6160 AC Geleen, Netherlands Stoke Newington Australia London N16 7UF, England NORTHWEST PLAYER PIANO MUSIC BOX SOCIETY ASSOCIATION SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF DUTCH PIANOLA ASSOC. INTERNATIONAL Raymond and Dorothy Ince MECHANICAL MUSICAL Nederlandse Pianola Vereniging Corresp. Sec'y.: Marguerite Fabel 4 Barrowby Lane INSTRUMENTS ~ Kortedijk 10 RI. 3, Box 205 Leeds LSI5 8PT, England Jurgen Hocker 2871 CB Schoonhouen, Morgantown, IN 46160 Eichenweg 6, D-5060 Gergisch, Gladbach, Netherlands SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Germany Division of Musical History Washingtom, D.C. 20560
2 President's Message Hospitality and gratitude go hand in hand. Each year there are many open houses in conjuction with chapter meetings as well as during our annual convention. Hosts often spend considerable time straightening up the house (getting those piano parts off the living-room floor, etc.), tun ing instruments and preparing refreshments for their guests. One thing that makes all of the work worthwhile is a "Thank You" from attendees. The next time you attend a meeting at someone's home, take a few minutes and send a thank you note to them. It's amazing how much this is appreciated. While on the subject of open houses, a few simple rules should be observed. SMOKING: always ask your host if it is O.K. to smoke and if so where. CHILDREN: often, well behaved children are welcome but it's a good idea to call and ask. DEMONSTRATING INSTRUMENTS: ask your hosts to demonstrate instruments. Do not assume that it's permissable for everyone to play any instrument. Finally, always treat other peoples home the way you want yours to be treated and you'll be welcome to return. ;J;;C Mel Septon - President
neglected, is the basic backbone of AMICA and should be THE Department members concentrate on to attract new members. Most people can/will afford an expertly restored Player Piano, especially if it can be procured in the $3000 - $5000 area. However, to get an new enthusiast to spend $10,000 - $25,000 on an item they aren't sure they even like ... well. Quite often, the owner of a Player will shortly down the road "pop" for the Reproducing piano or some other exotic. I have seen it happen MANY times. I told a friend of mine about some Austin organ ~~ rolls in 1970, subsequently he has added a room almost the equal ...... ~ ~;;~~;;;;'.~'£iji";;~~~· of the house to hold the reproducing pipe organ with assorted - roll players and reproducing pianos. There is no end to the possibilities. Remember, just about ALL of us started with a Dear, Members, basic player. It's a New Year, with a new job for me and a new publisher Happy New Year! for AMICA and you. If you recall, I was publisher two years ago and when approached by the board, I agreed to another stint. Robin Pratt After reviewing some items and formats, we are going to try to incorporate all of the best formats presented in the past to P.S. - Member's take note: create a new magazine. Included in this also is the reduction Molly Yeckley's mother, Thelma Wtlke, is in the Providence ~ of advertising rates for the display ads, new deadlines for items Care Center, Room 13, 2025 Hayes Ave., Sandusky, Ohio 44870. for the BULLETIN, and a broader area of items covered with Many of you remember Thelma from the AMICA Conventions. an emphasis on Pedal Player Pianos/Pianolas. This area, long Drop her a note!
3 PRESERVINa INTERPRETATIONS OF OUR NOTED PIANISTS
A New Industry Is the Making of Rolls for Player-Pianos, by a Direct Process that Records Permanently the Characteristics of a Virtuoso's Performance-Eminent Artists Recognize these Mechanical I r:::. Devices as Being of Utmost Importance to Them-Paderewski First to Accept Them
Taken from Musical America February 22, 1913 THE recent visit to Meriden, Connecticut, ofTina Lerner, the The manner in which the recorded roll operates is as follows: concert pianist, for the purpose ofmaking records for music Busoni, Harold Bauer or other great pianists go to a music roll rolls that will be an exact reproduction of her playing, calls at factory and playa grand piano, to which is attached a recording tention to a new branch of activity for musical artists. During machine. There-are a number of these different machines on the past year more than a hundred composers of songs and in the market, and great secrecy has been maintained by the strumental pieces have signed contracts with player-piano and manufacturers in protecting their patents. Some of the machines music roll houses, for the playing of their own compositions, perforate the paper with a punch which records every bit of the so that they can reach the public exactly as played. individuality ofthe performer. This includes touch, tempo, pedal There are several reasons why the music roll houses have effects, etc. Other machines are operated by pencil markings; followed the lead of the talking-machine manufacturers in go that is, the pencil follows every movement of the fingers at the ing into the market to buy artistic talent. One reason is the same time that the fingers strike the keys. The pencil tracings popularity of the player-piano, which has run the sale of music are afterward cut out for the master rolls and other rolls are rolls into the hundreds of thousands a year. The second reason manufactured from the master rolls. is the increased musical appreciation of the public, which has Thus, after Busoni or some other artist has been_ at the in been simultaneous with the growth of the player-piano, and has strument and has played a composition, it is possible for him, created a demand for music rolls with which the performer can in a few minutes, to have the same roll put into a player-piano make an intelligent or faithful reproduction of playing. A third and played automatically, exactly as he played it. Ofcourse, there reason is the placing on the market ofwhat is known as the hand are bound to be some imperfections in the playing, such as the recorded roll, which makes it possible for the public to secure accidental touching of a note which is not heard but which is a music roll that anyone can play and which is identical with recorded, or the accidental depression ofa pedal, the recording the artist's performance. In other words, with the recorded roll device being so sensitive that everything is recorded. These im of the playing of Busoni, for instance, or Harold Bauer can be perfections are corrected immediately by an expert cutter, so reproduced exactly as played by those artists. One of the most that when the roll is ready for the player-piano it is perfect. The .....-= successful music rolls is the record of the performance of rolls are then manufactured by the thousands and sold to piano "Liebestod" from "Tristan und Isolde." dealers all over the country.
/;:::! ,(
Tina Lerner Recording for Vollem Rolls, F. C. White, Seated; Percy Van York, Standing
4 One company has recently sent a representative to Chicago, New York, Cleveland, Washington and other cities, where writers of popular songs live, and these musicians were put under contract and they recorded their most popular compositions. There has grown up a demand for a music roll record of a popular song played by the writer of that song, just as there is a demand for a roll ofChopin music played by a master pianist. The interest ofdistinguished pianists in player-pianos dates back some years. Francis L. Young, of the Aeolian Company, inventor of the Metrostyle, was in Great Britain at a time when Paderewski, Bauer and Emil Paur were in America, and it was agreed that they should make their own interpretations of com positions for the Pianola. Mr. Young made a hurried trip to Paderewski Recording for the Welte Mignon America and met Paderewski, Bauer and Paur at the Hotel Mrs. Paderewski Standing Beside the Pianist Manhattan, where a Pianola had been installed in a room. The rolls are 88-note, covering the entire keyboard and can Paderewski was the first to play. He spent the entire after be used on any of the newer model player-pianos. As a result noon at the instrument. Later Emil Paur spent several days in of these recorded rolls, a little girl in South Africa, Australia recording his interpretations of all the overtures of Beethoven. or any other part of the world can sit at a player-piano and if Harold Bauer made the first experiment. As he approached the she understands the pumping of the instrument, the mastery of which is simple, the roll as she plays it will be just as satisfac instrument he said: "How shall I do this?" tory a performance as ifthe operator were a fine pianist. In other He was told to playas he would in concert, and Mr. Young, words, she is playing the composition just as Rosenthal, to illustrate the work of the instrument, played over the Paderewski or Busoni played it. Metrostyle rolls made by Paderewski. One of them was im While some music roll men think that the recorded roll mediately recognized by Bauer. He had studied under the exact reproduction ofthe artist's playing - will increase the Paderewski. "I would know that playing anywhere," he said. ___ usefulness of the popularity, there are thousands of player-piano He then played from the works of Schumann and Chopin. owners who do not like these rolls because they destroy the in Later Mr. Young and H.B. Schaad, of the Aeolian Com -l dividuality of the performer. Many people prefer to give rolls their own interpretation, indifferent as to whether it is the in pany, visited the European artists in their homes and induced terpretation of the composer or not. them to play for the Pianola their own interpretations of famous works. Among others they saw Rimsky-Korsakoff and Gla "Ifeveryone plays the player-piano the same, it will kill all zounow in Russia, Carl Reinecke in Germany, Moszkowski in individuality, make the music mechanical and all alike, with the result that the player owner will grow tired of his instrument," Paris, Paderewski at Morges, Switzerland; Rosenthal in Vien said one of the best-known roll men in the trade in a talk with na, Richard Strauss in Berlin, De Pachmann in Berlin, and even Musical America. took the Pianola to the home of Siegfried Wagner in Bayreuth. But whether one plays a hand-recorded roll or a roll which In a talk with a representative of Musical America, Mr. gives opportunity for the player's own interpretation of the music, Schaad said: "The great pianists of the world were quick to there is no doubt that the music rolls are becoming tremendously recognize that despite the long concert tours which they could popular. And the great artists of the world have recognized the make, they never could hope to reach the people as could a player-piano and the music roll as of the greatest importance player-piano house. And once they were satisfied with the ac to them. curacy and perfection of the player-piano, they were quick to So far as the composer is concerned, the player-piano has give it their endorsement. made his compositions known everywhere. Only a limited "As the player business grows, the music roll end, ofcourse, number of persons can crowd into a concert hall, and only a few concerts can be given. The player-piano is found in grows with it, and some idea of the size of this industry can thousands ofhomes, and thus the piano works ofcomposers now be gauged by the fact that we have in our catalogue 16,000 com have an audience a hundredfold greater than a few years ago. positions. In our plant in Meriden, we have a large staff of musi cians who make various rolls to suit every taste. We have men Many of the player houses are paying thousands of dollars a year to the artists for exclusive services and are also paying in all parts of the world to watch new music, both classical and two cents a roll for royalty under the copyright act. popular. We have men, for instance, who 'cover' all first nights of operas, musical comedies and concerts, so that they can The houses which are employing musicians on their regular forecast at first hand rolls that can be made and rushed to the _~ staff include the Aeolian Co., the American Piano Co., the Melville Clark Piano Co., the Wilcox and White Co. and the public, anticipating demand. Standard Music Roll Co. continued - Preserving Interpretations of Our Noted Pianists continued -
Naturally, the effect ofthe music roll has increased the sale who play light classics, who play ballads, one who can play.;: of music. The piano composer in every line is making more ragtime, and so on all through the line, each grade ofmusic hav money than he ever did before. Sometimes opera is reproduced ing its own specialist. The man who wrote 'Oh, You Beautiful in Europe and has a long run there before it comes to America. Doll' and the man who wrote 'In the Shade of the Old Apple As soon as the opera gives an evidence ofbeing a success, music Tree,' two ofthe great popular hits, are making records of their rolls are immediately made ofthe score, making it possible for latest compositions for us exclusively. So are many ofthe greatest every one in America or any other part ofthe world to hear the artists playing before the public today." music in his or her own home if there is a player piano there. The recent trip about the country of Lee S. Roberts, ~f the Many European successes are not heard in America except Melville Clark Piano Company, carrying with him a recording through the music-roll and player-piano." device, just as he would a grip or a silk hat box, attracted a lot The inventor of the Rythmodik roll, Charles H. Stoddard, of attention. Roberts came to New York with his machine and is a tone color expert, and in the invention of the Rythmodik sent out a call for composers. For four days they came to him roll, he had the assistance of Busoni and Borchard. At the time in a Broadway hotel and recorded their compositions. Some of of the invention, Mr. Stoddard was working in a factory in these performers were composers ofIndian suites and other com Rochester, New York. Both Busoni and Borchard visited the fac positions which have small sale, but for which the music roll tory and were tremendously interested in the tone color will make a demand. Others were composers of light classic and experiments. popular numbers which are known throughout the world. The Melville Clark roll is called the Autograph. In a talk with a representative ofMusical America, Mr. Stod dard said: "The time is corning when every possessor ofa player James H. White, president of the company which manufac piano will own a recorded roll. In other words, a roll which tures the Angelus piano-player and the Voltem recorded roll, is the exact interpretation ofthe artist who played it. The recorded said to Musical America: "We have just placed a number ofar roll makes uniform playing possible, whether the player operator tists under contract, including Tina Lerner. Miss Lerner has has heard the composition or not, as the roll plays the same for already been at the plant making rolls. Others will come later. all. Everything is in the roll: tempo, rhythm, expression and There is no reason why every one should not have music inter touch." preted by the greatest artists." "",-r The American Piano Company has a number offormer con In Europe the Welte-Mignon rolls and the Hupfeld rolls have_ cert artists on its staff who play exclusively for it. One of them been made by some of the greatest artists living, and thousands is Howard Brockway, the pianist and lecturer on musical subjects. of these rolls are being sold in America. A Catalogue of the Hupfeld rolls, the originals of which were made by celebrities EH. Byrne, of the American Piano Company, said to in the music world, is a book of several hundred pages. Musical America: "We have artists who can play heavy classics,
AKTICLE FROM: MUSICAL AMERCIA, February 22, 1913
• • • • • Do You Remember: * • • "A charming song" • • by • • MISCHA LEVITZKI •
• Featllred this season 011 • • all their programs by • • Published by EZla PINZA • G. SCHIRMER, New York JAN PEERCE • VIVIAN DELLA CHIESA • ;F' From Music America Magazine: November 25, 1943
6 RAGTIME PIANO ROLLS
A NEW ARRANGER Arranged for the Player-Piano By AND AN Eric D. Bernhoft INNOVATIVE LABEL
In 1900-1915, ragtime was an important part ofthe day's popular music and ownership of a player piano was a mark of success. Ragtime piano rolls were in demand. If you couldn't play it, you could pump it! Hundreds of ragtime compositions were issued on piano rolls in response to an eager market. Most of the early ragtime rolls were ar ranged by specialists in translating the latest sheet music into piano rolls. Many rags were published in simplified versions so that the average parlor No Expense pianist could at least make it through the frequently challenging rag ar rangements. But the roll arrangers could and did enhance the simplified Has Been Spared sheet music versions and many rag rolls were issued as performances to make our B Series the most no single human pianist could recreate. distinctive music rolls offered to My theory is that the enhanced (orchestrated) rag rolls sold well simp the public today. ly because they provided a much fuller sound over what could ever be -'. performed by a home pianist ofeven above average skill. Ma or Sis, strug ...."I gling through a simplified version of the latest rag hit just couldn't com pete with a skilled roll arranger. By the mid to late teens, ragtime was falling out of favor. a template made from graph paper. Then with a hand punch, American lifestyles were changing. People spent fewer hours he made the perforations. He recalls that by using this process, at home and there were fewer home pianists. Roll buyers wanted it took him nearly eight months to complete the roll! But he turn more 'human', hand-played-sounding roll arrangements. Record ed out a very satisfactory roll arrangement and the challenge ing pianos (which could capture a hand-played performance) had been met and won. were developed and improved. Even the roll arrangers working Because of his strong interest in piano ragtime and the on their drafting boards concentrated on producing rolls which capabilities ofthe player piano, Eric decided to produce a series more closely mimicked a hand-played performance. of ragtime rolls. In 1990, he located and purchased his own In my own roll collection I've always made room for each LEABARJAN perforator, (The Publisher recently learned that type of roll arrangement: hand-played as well as orchestrated. Mr. Bernhoft with the help of Mr. Doug Henderson, located A well-made orchestrated roll can be just as exciting as a hot, the LEABARJAN perforator through an advertisement in the hand-played roll performance. The vintage orchestrated rolls are AMICA Bulletin. The perforator came from Mr. Richard exciting, and by delivering an augmented sound are, in some Groman of Keystone Music Rolls in Bethlehem, PA. Small ways, better suited to showing off the real capabilities ofa player world, isn't it? - R.P.) designed his "UPRIGHT and GRAND" piano. roll label and started arranging rolls. Since then he has produc ed eight rolls and more are in the planning stage. With one ex In 1978 a fellow pianist challenged Eric Bernhoft to make ception, all are based on ragtime compositions written between a piano roll. Not something simple; a classical pipe organ toc 1902 and 1915. The single exception is a contemporary (1977) cata by French composer Henri Mulet! Eric created his first roll rag written by performer and composer Glenn Jenks. ------.the hard way: He drew out the arrangement in pencil following ../ continued -
7 Ragtime Piano Rolls continued -
When selecting ragtime compositions for roll arrangement, I enthusiastically reconunend all of the "UPRIGHT and ? Eric chooses rags he likes and those which he feels will benefit GRAND" rolls to anyone seeking exceptional ragtime piano roll ., from his style ofarranging. His rolls are what I would call "con arrangements. The beautiful packaging is the frosting on a servatively orchestrated". They strike a perfect balance between mighty tasty cake. "hand-played" and "excessively orchestrated" (as are some of Write to: ERIC D. BERNHOFT, P.O. Box 421101, San Fran the early vintage rag rolls). His arrangements are designed to cisco, California 94142. [or call (415) 885-3335] and request his bring out the best qualities in each rag he has chosen to do. brochure. It describes the rolls and provides excellent "UPRIGHT and GRAND" rolls play very smoothly, in some background information on each rag. If you're skeptical, ask cases better than vintage rolls of the same ragtime compositions. Eric to send you a copy of his demo cassette and you can audi The overall quality of "UPRIGHT and GRAND" rolls is tion each roll prior to purchase. You won't be disappointed. top of the line. The label is an exceptionally attractive design. -Ed Sprankle Roll perforation is done to perfection by the folks at CUSlDM MUSIC ROLLS in Richardson, Texas. Roll box wrappers are embossed with the "UPRIGHT and GRAND" imprint. But the Ed Sprankle has been collecting piano rolls for 40 years. His major innovation is a full color copy of the cover of the original collection includes 88 and 65 note piano rolls and 10 tune 'P\ sheet music incorporated as part ofeach roll's leader. (NOT in and Wurlitzer nickelodeon rolls. The focus of the collection is cluded on the Glenn Jenks roll.) Nothing has been spared to on ragtime and blues material. He also reissues worthy material create one of the most deluxe roll packages you'll ever see. on his ECHOES label.
SEPTEMBER 1925 THE ETUDE GRAING E R~
"Graing(or ma(:t the stnsational S\lC('(-$5 oi the North "The Chopin B minor sOllata, the playing of which \\"11) .shore Ftstivars six COlletTts. But he i::i a stimulating per dwell long in the memory. w~s a perform~l.Ilcc of magni sonality and a great artist, with a tone of col05531 power :o:\'ent authority, of im;piratiou and of 11l1ely wrought that is capable of the most sensllive and eloquent inAec phrascs:"-St. Lou:5-. :,\10.. The St. Louis TiUlrs. rions, with that supcrlati,'c command of aU the illstru· :r.c-nt'$ rC-50urcc's that comc hut O:JCC or twice in a j:::el1('ra :'The prismatic w('a1th of oyertoncs he got out of his lion, S::clllway was gorgeous hcyond belief. ):eycr he fore has "\\'hel) he plays Liszt as he did last night he is the (me he re\'(:l1cd in SC11S\10U$ beCiuty of tone as yesterday. To :.nd only succes,sor to Busc.ni. \Vhen he plays a sustained gether with his rhythmic "irility and his passion:ltc C1110 rn('lody such as his transcripti Mgt. ANTONIA SAWYER, Inc. WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK ~ Duo=Art R.olls Steinway Pianos Columbia R.ecords 8 PART 1 PIANOLA "PIZAZZ" ofa Series or How to Attract Enthusiastic Listeners (and Double Your Player-Piano Pleasures) By L. Douglas Henderson (The Publisher requested Mr. Henderson to write an article on the subject of PLAYING THE PLAYER PIANO. He is one of a select few who do this as a part of their living and to my knowledge is the ONLY one who has a custom-designed trailer with automatic ventilation system, automatic remote winch with ramp to pull the Piano as well as a 65/88 note Pianola Push-up Player INID the trailer! Charles Stoddard eat your heart out!) Look at the picture below, paying careful attention to the There are three basic elements to consider when creating LISTENERS (and ignoring the author, who - unfortunately a memorable Pianola performance: a) the Total Instrument is assuming his "Quasimodo"posture at the Pianola!). The of Piano and Player action, b) the Pianolist, i.e. the artistic roll photograph, which was taken during Intermission time at a re interpreter, and c) the Type of Music Rolls being presented. cent concert-programme in Northern Maine,1 shows only a frac Refine any or all ofthese facets and you will experience the same tion of the people who were riveted to the player-piano, all applause and personal gratification as the writer has, during his transfixed on what - for them - was a series of artistic perfor many decades in entertaining groups of people in all situations: mances on an instrument which they expected would be a dron ing, mechanical-sounding relic of the past. Approximately thir informal gatherings in a residence, seated audiences in recital ty to forty people encircled this small upright player, a pedal performances and the "passing parade" of the general public operated 88-note model by Story and Clark? featuring no other in outdoor events - the annual MOXIE Festivals in Maine being controls but two foot-pedals and the conventional levers for tem a recent example of the third category.3 po, sustaining pedal and hammer-rail (soft) graduations. When last - if ever - did you experience this same level of THE TOTAL INSTRUMENT ~ total attention to your music roll interpretations? If your fami l Your Pianola4 is not really a "Player-Piano" since it requires ly, friends and visitors merely shuffle past your Pianola or superimpose conversations over your pneumatic performances, personal involvement and musical judgement in order to become perhaps you are giving them the player-piano equivalent of a living, exciting medium for piano music. (Similarly, an expres "elevator music"! There is, happily, a remedy for this musical sion player is not a "reproducing" piano as stated in the original rejection. You can be the Life-of-The-Party or the musical advertisements, but a genuine "player-piano" - somewhat a self celebrity of your community if you take the time to analyze interpreter in a generalized sense - which requires frequent human WHAT makes for an engaging Pianola performance...and HOW monitoring in a variety of capacities, if the semi-automatic piano you can tailor your musical attributes and the features of the in solo is to be musically acceptable.)S Too many Pianola owners bask strument to suit your audience. Success will be instantaneous. in the presumed aura of the marque for the brand, the size of the Impromptu clapping will drown out the rerolling sounds, and piano or comparative rarity of a particular model, when their somebody will invariably request another music roll. musical development in tandem with the rolls they play translates into a boring performance for their listeners (and a parallel 'ego trip' for them). Attention must be focused first-and-foremost on the PIANO, specifically the condition of the hammers and the piano action regulation with extra consideration for the striking response and the timing ofthe damper movements. Hammers should be NEW and properly-voiced,6 which means that the attack at a single dynamic should be relatively "even" (much like an organ stop) from Middle C to the top note of the piano scale. "Voicing" for the Pianola almost mandates "softer-than-normal" hammers in the up per ranges and NO lacquer in the process of "adjusting the piano to the Pianola" - as Aeolian wrote to its technicians in 1918! Upright pianos, when using rolls, must have the sustaining pedal lift, travel and release set as precisely as possible; hand con trols - and the pneumatic pedal systems - have many limitations, so if you desire to achieve a "virtuoso sound" with your player, Photo Credit: Melba Wilson a crisp staccato should be heard with every single-punch 9 Pianola "Pizazz" continued - roll perforation, the musical approximation of a 32nd note Gallery" and vases from the top ofyour upright Pianola; banish (depending upon the paper travel speed of the arrangement). them to the fireplace mantel or a shelf1) ,//. Keyboard pianists and Pianola listeners will spring to attention Ifyou study the latitudes of the Piano in combination with when this damper regulation has been accomplished, for the the Player Action design, you'll have the knowledge for con upright instrument will appear to have the attack of a grand trolling it as a unified instrument. Again, the brand or size of piano action! (Yes, Virginia, you can have both worlds with your the piano is not that important; the author uses a Steinway pedal upright Pianola: the tone ofa 6' - or larger - grand in most cases "0" (6'6") and an electric Steinway '~R" (7') grand in his and "almost" the staccato of the space-wasting grand models.) Studio...but on-the-road,8 a 4'2" high upright becomes his It's worth the extra investment to have a qualified techni travelling Pianola, and once into the music, the piano (wjth its cian voice and regulate your upright Pianola, bringing it up to memorable tone and crisp keyboard response) becomes "invisi the standards a concert pianist would require for keyboard use. ble" as the roll-interpretations dazzle the listeners. (If your Soon you will be playing better rolls which challenge both you Pianola does not fade into the ether as you perform, this might and the complete instrument, and you will require a superior signal the need for more Piano and Player Action work, and performance which includes - among other characteristics - a quite possibly an examination of your "ego"!) Your musical cap sharp staccato at Mezzo-Piano (M.P.) and Piano ( P.), a man tives should be hearing Mozart, Liszt, Joplin or James P. Johnson datory attribute for many polished roll performances. and focus on you for bringing them the artistic sounds of these (and other) composers. Should you hear a guest mutter the Finally, the valves in the Player Action must be adjusted "brand" or "model" of your instrument, something is wrong to the best-travel possible, which on ordinary pneumatic designs and the group is guaranteed to dwindle with each rerolling is somewhere between 1116" and 1/32". Failure to bring the valve operation! response up to that of the piano action results in a "choked" or "skipping" staccato, often in the Mezzo-Forte (M.E) or softer THE PIANOLIST dynamic ranges, as well as a general inability to introduce a sFz (sForzando - a "crash accent") into a passage of softer note The pneumatic player should become "an extension of figurations. Soft staccato playing and wide dynamic swings yourself" and you should be "in control of the music" at all are the essence ofexciting music roll performances. Without times. Err on the side of "bravura" playing in your accents and these aspects, you have the equivalent ofthe Frank Milne "graph tempo-lever sweeps. After all, your task is to inject your will ~ paper" medley rolls cut for the Ampico and Duo-Art, just - on an instinctive basis through practice - into the roll's per- background music: boring musical texture which will not tum forated arrangement. The operator who "goes with the flow" heads or anchor people to your interpretive activities. and who accents on the obvious first-beat only soon tires the listener. The musician who endeavours to separate the dotted-8th Minor leaks in the bottom action (with the foot-pedals) and and 16th notes, isolate a melodic line or execute a surprise dimi pinholes in the striking pneumatics can often go unnoticed by nuendo is the TRUE Pianolist. the accomplished Pianolist, ifthe treble hammer softness, piano A good rule-of-thumb is to RECORD YOURSELF with a action timing and valve gaps are as close to the "ideal" as the Cassette or open reel tape deck and LISTEN to the results. technician is able to push them. Valves are often ignored on many (Beware ofthe Automatic Volume Control - AVC - Cassette decks rebuilding jobs, especially Amphion, Simplex and the unit-valve which will eliminate the dynamics you've just created.) All-too models? (The single-valve Simplex is one of the most respon few keyboard pianists take the trouble to tape themselves and sive of 88-Note players if the "valve-section" of the pneumatic then question the results from the listening standpoint! The most assembly has been addressed.) frequent abuser of the Pianola is that person who engages in Last of all, the placement of the instrument in the room, a "mental performance" that does not correspond to what's ac and its resultant projection of sound to the listeners, is an im tually being achieved musically; you can recognize these "mental portant aesthetic concern. Grand pedal player-pianos often send fantasy" people by the tell-tale sign of a beatific smile as they the sound away from the Pianolist, who must through experimen pedal along, usually with a resigned and continuous rhythm. tation and practice, graduate the accents for those who receive A solo system, such as the Aeolian "Themodist", is un the music. Upright players too frequently exhibit a strange necessary for the majority of music roll situations; it has "balance" for the listeners, unless one takes the time to con marginal value on arrangements which criss-cross over the bass sider how the sounding-board will project the music from various treble division as in Rubinstein's "Melody in F" and Nevin's locations in the room. "Narcissus" and for the occasional Liszt cadenza in which a The Pianolist will usually benefit from having the top of solo note sings forth over a highspeed accompaniment on the the case lifted by the interior supports as this gives a sense of same side of the stack division. (However, many players have the clarity and volume that the audience will experience; refer an indicator or line on the tracker bar which lets the interpreter to the photograph at the beginning of this article, which shows know where the bass-treble division occurs, so one can use the .f the lid supports in use. (Eliminate the photographic "Rogues' proper foot-and-lever work to suppress the accompaniment. '" The author's Story and Clark player, shown in the possessing homogenous striking and predictable thematic ~ photograph, can yield the same musical results as the development, you can avoid tedium by rotating the BRAND of "Themodist" - even on ARfCRAFT Duo-Art arrangements, the roll and the PERIOD the roll was produced, thereby masking such as Liszt's "Mephisto Waltz". Generally speaking, a solo over the arranging formulae for a considerable period oftime. system is like power steering - on a good automobile, who needs Interpretive arrangements are the easiest type of rolls for it? The automatic sustaining pedal should be "off" on most rolls the beginner to master, since the pedal effects are partly - except Interpretive Arrangements.9 The sustaining pedal is part pneumatic but mostly accomplished through quick sostenuto of the keyboard artist's striking process; the Pianolist must use note cutting, usually down to a 1/4 overlap perforation, approx the same personal judgement as the live musician regarding this imately a 128th note. Variable striking, melodic variations and important device, and it's based upon the sustaining properties a fitting climax are the hallmarks ofthis style roll...created with and tone quality of the particular instrument being used. Levers the attitude that the Pianola is an artistic machine (a form of are generally preferable to buttons for control, but it is the at computer) which plays through creative programming (the paper titude and musical development of the Pianolist which is para roll)...and not a pseudo-playback medium for an imagined ac mount to a rewarding interpretation. tual pianist. Ifyou attend as many live piano recitals or concerts as you THE MUSIC ROLLS can, or listen to good audio recordings (preferably those made Four styles of music rolls are available to the Pianolist: a) from analogue not digital tape sources)12, you'll soon appreciate the sheet-music-transfers, b) the (patchup) "hand-played" rolls, the astonishing simulation ofspecific "keyboard attacks" on In c) the simulated "hand-played" rolls (an arranged roll being terpretive Arrangements. These rolls which can provide you with passed off as "hand-played")IO and d) the Interpretive Ar almost-human keyboard performances are always subject to your rangements - the latter a recent development in Pianola History. personal modifications through accents and sustaining pedal lever (ARfCRAFT Music Rolls, currently the only enterprise creating manipulation, superimposing these aesthetic decisions over the Interpretive Arrangements, has prepared a special Demonstra "complete" performance that the Interpretive Arrangement roll tion Cassette which shows, with a minimum of dialogue, the provides. musical differences between the four perforating styles - all Bang and Olufson, the Scandanavian electronics manufac ..... played on a 1912 Steinway Grand Pianola. Over 800 of these turer, requires that their workers attend at least five live con ./ informative Cassettes have been distributed at this writing, and certs a year in order not to fall into a "canned" musical rut. they are often used by musicologists and educators when ex Similarly, the more (analogue) audio recordings you hear and plaining the "mystique" of music rolls to their students and concerts you attend, the less likely you will enjoy the simulated associates.)II "hand-played" rolls or the sheet-music-transfers of the past. The budding Pianolist should ignore the genuine "hand Dick Hyman, the composer-pianist, recently wrote about played" rolls, for these have irregular rhythm within-the-measure performance standards during his studies with Teddy Wilson, due to the "recording" methods, be they the product of mark the pianist associated with Benny Goodman's swing band: "He ing, direct-cutting or the latest computerized techniques. The told me to become good enough so that even on those inevitable subconscious mind does not respond favourably to erratic rhythm days when you slip, your level will still be high." Wilson's ad inside the musical measure, which is why the industry discovers vice applies to the Pianolist and his choice ofmusic rolls as well! and then discards the labour-intensive "hand-played" roll with Remember that the Pianolist not only has to keep his "mind" its 17% (and higher) striking errors, a defect which is not the on the moving paper roll, but that subtle atmospheric changes fault ofthe skilled pianist whose playing helped create the source will influence the musical results. What is a musical compromise material. between Man-and-Machine for you, should translate into a Sheet-music-transfers, to be interesting, have to be played "perfect" performance for the listeners. with an exaggerated accenting technique, for the notes are held dow~ on the keyboard as if a mortuary pipe organ (with rolls) were being played. This excessive sostenuto is particularly ir ritating with the performance of Cakewalk or Ragtime music; the boring attack and repetitive arrangements soon tire the listeners, for - as anybody knows - the keyboard artist does not play the sheet music "as written" but uses the score as a springboard for a live performance! Simulated (a nice word for FAKE) "hand-played" rolls are I arrangements made through a group-effort, in most cases, and which appear to inject a dribble ofthe "artist" into the roll; while continued - 11 Pianola "Pizazz" continued - It's a pity that the candid photograph which appeared at the sidewalk - and rolls of Just Make It Moxie for Mine (1904) and start of this article was not taken with a wide-angle lens or a Moxie One-Step (1921) plus a host ofother snappy ARTCRAFT ? panoramic camera. The size of the listening group can only be releases are interpreted by Mr. Henderson from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., suggested by this picture. What's interesting is that the audience, with time-out for lunch (with Moxie!) and the parade. So many when seated, had just experienced the music of Scott Joplin (2 people surrounded the "Reprotone" at the 1992 Festival that and 4-hand), Joseph Lamb and Louis Moreau Gottschalk plus newspaper photographers were unable to photograph the activity; other equally demanding composers. One ofthe performers that this can happen when the upright player is not as tall as the public night was Maine's own Glenn Jenks, a composer of complex gathered around the instrument! and distinctive works - including a Ragtime String Quartette 4. The term "Pianola" was coined by musical author which is receiving accolades in Canada and Europe, where it's Gustav Kobbe for his book, The Pianolist. Other terms, such currently being performedP The host of this concert was as "Playerist" and "Player-Pianist" never really caught on. The Masanobu Ikemiya whose latest audio recording just received Aeolian Company - manufacturers of the patented Pianola a Grammy Award nomination for a piano solo performance! 14 (brand) player action - pretended that the use of the word was Yet, in spite of these and other fantastic keyboard artists play an infringement on their product...but they also advertised ing a large Steinway grand, the little upright by Story and Clark Kobbe's book at the bottom of their magazine display adver held an equal fascination for the assembled listeners! Many in tisements, in the era of 65-Note (pushup) console players! To the audience said, after the rolls were presented, that they never date, the term "Pianola" in a generic sense is the best descrip knew an ordinary player-piano could yield such sensitive tive word for any player action that operates by means of paper music...and have such a vast range of expression. You can rolls and striking pneumatics. achieve a similar result in your own home with the friends and guests who visit you. Keep in mind that practice (and per 5. Even the Model-B Ampico grand needs human sonal analysis) improves your skills as time progresses. When assistance in the form of tempo correction on the long-playing a frequent visitor asks you, "What's new in your roll collec rolls! The average expression player increases tempo by 25-30% tion?" or insists that you perform a particular music roll with after only a few minutes' playing time; recalibration is an ar each visit, then you know that you are on a successful musical tistic necessity for the astute listener! Welte-Mignon T-IOO (Red path. Rediscover that instrument you possess, the Player Welte) cabinet players had a NORMAL/SLOW/FAST lever for ~ Piano...an EPIC musical medium in its own right! good reasons: many "missed" catching the Mezzo-Forte "hook" after several minutes of performance, for the paper travel ac FOOTNOfES celeration threw off the timing! The more refined versions of the expression players, such as the Hupfeld Triphonola, Duo- 1. The performances took place at the celebrated Arcady Art and Artrio-Angelus, offered the listener FULL DYNAMIC Music Festival at the Bangor Theological Seminary on October CONTROL and a "solo" system, which - if mastered 26, 1992, in Wellman Auditorium. This - plus an earlier Ar OUTPERFORMS the most sensitive foot-pedal standard cady Festival in Bar Harbor, Maine - represented one of seven players...and Aeolian stressed this fuct in print during the 'Teens invitations for Mr. Henderson to perform as a Pianolist in 1992. and early 'Twenties! 2. The instrument is a 1929 "Reprotone" - the highest ex 6. The "Reprotone" has hammers from Schaff Piano Co., pression ofthe Story and Clark line ofMiniature Player-Pianos, a style which allows the technician to bring out the lONE measuring 4'2" in height. The "Reprotone" players have a cut through voicing. The sound of the Story and Clark product, for off device which allows one to enjoy full-scale 88-Note perfor want ofa better description, rivals that ofa Baldwin upright from mances as well·as the so-called "reproducing" rolls in a 78 key the 1935-1940 period. Soft treble hammers are the key to music range; the player transposes 88-Note rolls within five keys and roll success and the selection of ideal replacement hammers is expression rolls in three adjacent pitches. Robin Pratt of San .something the Pianolist must consider when restoring the total dusky, Ohio, discovered and rebuilt this elusive piano for the instrument. author. At present, the few "Reprotone" instruments that sur vive seem to be located in his area! The original price - cast 7. Many collectors are mistaken when they believe that into the plate - was $800.00. Double-Valves are superior to Single-Valve actions. When pro perly regulated, Single-Valve players give more "intimate" foot 3. Each year the town of Lisbon Falls, Maine, holds a pedal response in the key striking process than the Double-Valve "Moxie Day" which attracts thousands ofpeople, who not only designs which have a slight "delay" on trills and staccato figura enjoy an old-time parade, but sip the bitter soft drink and com tions. Either style works well, however. sume Moxie Ice Cream (made on location at Anicetti's Soda Fountain, headquarters for the summer event). Moxie, still sold 8. Due to the number of perfurmance invitations Mr.Hend today in New England, originated in Maine and was promoted erson has been receiving over the past few years, the cost of as a sexual elixir and medicine prior to the Pure Food and Drug V-Haul trucks and hired manpower made it obvious that another f Laws. The "Reprotone" is placed in front of Anicetti's - on the mode of transportation was needed for his "Reprotone" player. 12 The solution was an enclosed 5 x 8 (Haulmark) trailer fitted Mr. Weisenborne is to be congratulated for his extensive I with an elevating ramp (which matches the piano-truck - with research about the Moeller player organs, and especially for shar wheel brakes near the sounding board) and a remote-control elec ing with his readers the letters which PROVE beyond a doubt tric winch; the trailer also has an electric ventilating system for that the imitation "hand-played" rolls were just a marketing use in hot weather. The entire loading/unloading operation takes premise. Good music will still be there for the listener, even but a few minutes and requires only one person! Both the ifa roll's pedigree turns out to be false. THE PERFORATIONS "Reprotone" and a 6~/88-Note pushup Pianola player can be - not the typesetting on the label, the logotype signature of the transported in this manner, with special straps supplied for each artist or the screened photograph on the roll leader - ARE WHAT instrument. MATTER TO THE PIANOLIST. This is the material for your 9. That is, ARTCRAFT Music Rolls. Interpretive Ar own personalized performance. Enjoy the roll for what it is, an rangements are perforated with the limitations ofthe pneumatic arrangement! pedal designs taken into account, and the inability ofmany elec 11. You can order "The Smiler COMPARISON tric players (such as the Duo-Art) to turn "off' the automatic CASSETTE" from ARTCRAFT Music Rolls for $2.50, pp'd. pedal mechanism. You can - AND SHOULD - play all Inter This is a Chromium Dioxide tape recording of high quality. pretive Arrangements with the pedal control "on"...and addi Write: ARICRAFT Rolls, p.o. Box 295, Wiscasset, Maine 04578 tional manual pedal can be added during performance, if you USA. so desire. 12. Ten years ago Mr. Henderson expressed major con 10. The player industry LIED in order to market pianos, cern about the dominance of digital recordings with respect to in the Good Old Days! After selling the public on the false piano music, especially in the treble where the sounds are often premise that "hand-played" rolls were superior to "arranged" brittle or muddy. Now, a decade later, many magazine articles styles, QRS, Aeolian and even Welte-Mignon did an about-face are appearing on the subject. Read "The CD and The Damage around 1920. Ampico rolls were largely "arranged" from the Done" on page 24 of Harper's Magazine for July 1992. The start so were always ofthe SIMULATED "hand-played" genre. low sampling rate for digital recordings - especially the CD Most ofthe rolls in your collection with "...played by..." on the makes them a poor reference for your studies, when it comes labels will be of this category - and not representative of the to the higher pitches on string instruments. artist whose name was often used to market the product. 13. You can order Glenn Jenks' Cassettes from this address: I Be sure to read the Moeller ''Artists'' (player organ) article Bonnie Bank Productions, P.o. Box 811, Camden, Maine 04843. in Vol. 29, No. 4 of The AMICA News Bulletin by James 1. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED are the Ragtime Alchemy and Weisenborne. This detailed article is the first complete expose American Beauties releases, both of which feature his precise ofthe fraud that "hand-played" rolls were then...and are today, and sparkling keyboard touch! ARTCRAFT Music Rolls and when frequently revived by someone with good intentions. Let Eric Bernhoft (dba UPRIGHT AND GRAND Rolls, P.O. Box ters written by Moeller employees say it all with lines like this: 421101, San Francisco, California 94142) offer rolls of Glenn . .. .when it comes to the player, (Aeolian) makes it very plainly Jenks' imaginative Ragtime compositions; write for information. understood that the organist is out-of-the-picture..." DON'T 14. You MUST order Masanobu Ikemiya's latest "gram MISS PAGE 12 with a revealing statement by Frederick Hoschke, my" nomination recording: Ragtime Classics (Jazzmania the "Artiste" developer, who says that Ampico, Duo-Art and #6003). If your dealer cannot supply you, write: Masanobu Welte player-piano rolls are the work ofARRANGERS and are Ikemiya, 514 West 211th St., Suite 5-C, New York, New York unable to "reproduce" the pianists involved, some of whom have 10034. He also offers a Cassette entitled Classics-ta-Ragtime gained a "reputation" and have become "known the World over" which features what has to be the definitive recorded perfor through rolls they really did not create! mance of "The Banjo'; by Louis Gottschalk! In spite of the questionable methods used for making and marketing the SIMULATED "hand-played" rolls, there are many hours ofpleasure awaiting the listener who wishes to meet them half-way, knowing that they are artistic arrangements and not the "recordings" they were supposed to be. The author had the opportunity to hear the Lobby Organ at the San Francisco Fox Theatre back in the 'Fifties, and still considers that memory of its performance as one of the MOST-EXCITING he's heard in the "reproducing" pipe organ field; he knew then that the ''Ar tiste" rolls were arrangements involving much handwork, but the organ performance was SUPERLATIVE (with rolls custom- i edited for that specific instrument). 13 MOST EXPENSIVE Duo-ART ROLL - III SIX ARTISTS UNITE J By Richard Howe IN DUO-ART RECITAL This is yet another follow up to my article on the $2,000 Duo-Art roll which appeared in the July/August '91 Bulletin and Program Given by La Forge, Bruce Bartholomew's follow up which appeared in Berumen, Bennett, Kraft, January/February '92. Since the roll or a copy thereof had been Moncrieff and Carver sent to the late Gordon lIes for copying, I decided to check with A recital was given at Aeolian Hall lIes' friend and Duo-Art collector, Gerald Stonehill ofLondon. on the evening of June 24 by Frank Stonehill advises that he..."returned the original roll to America, La Forge, composer-pianist, and Ernesto where it fell into the hands ofThe International Piano Archives, Berumen, pianist; assisted by Edith whose collection was sold to the University ofMaryland, as you Bennett, soprano; Alice Moncrieff, con know. I have lIes' original copy and also the Powell recut from tralto; Arthur Kraft, tenor, and Charles lIes. The former is accurate, but the latter is on stronger paper Carver, bass. In addition, the Duo-Art Piano was heard in various numbers. and therefore better to play..." The I:l.wl.:A!:t opened the program with Josef Hofmann's interpretation of I then checked with Gregor Benko who was one ofthe prin Chopin's Scherzo in B Flat Minor. Fol cipals in The International Piano Archives. Benko advised that lowing this, Mr. Carver offered songs they had never had the original with all the signatures. So where by' Franz, Strauss, Brahms and Loewe in English translation. Mr. Berumen is the original today? offered a Dance by Beethoven, and half and-half with the Duo-Art, a Canzonetta Gerald also sent some interesting information exhibited at by Schuett and Miss Bennett a group the auction in 1925 as follows: of songs in French. Mr. Kraft sang songs in French and English, including P.S. "Le Reve" from Massenet's "Manon" "Lithu~ From Mr. I.J. Paderewski and Miss Moncrietf, Chopin's nian Song," and "My Heart at Thy Sweet to Mr. Ernest Schelling Voice" from "Samson and Delila-h." The second part of the program con The following MESSAGE is received via FRENCH tained song groups by Miss Bennett, ac TELEGRAPH CABLE subject to the terms and conditions companied by the Duo-Art, and by :'.Ir. 1 printed on the back hereof, which are ratified and agree to. Carver and Mr. Kraft, accompanied by Mr. La Forge, also solo numbers by :'Ir. Berumen. Ernest Schelling, New York The program was too long and there was too great a variety in every way to TOO FAR AWAY TO JOIN YOU IN OFFERING THE make it one of paramount interest. :'Ir. TRIBUTE OF RECOGNITION AND FRIENDSHIP TO A Canter sang sincerely but he lacked GREAT AND NOBLE ARTIST. CAN ONLY SEND YOU repose, and his voice in its upper register sounded pinched and nasal and caused AND ALL OUR DEAR COLLEAGUES MY WARMEST him obvious uneasiness. Also, it lost CONGRATULATIONS TOGETHER WITH MY MOST midway, all vestige of bass quality. He SINCERE WISHES FOR THE SUCCESS OF YOUR has, however, an agreeable personality and his diction was superlatively good. BEAUTIFUL ENTERPRISE TO WHICH I AM SURE THE Miss Bennett, with a voice of small GENEROSITY OF THE GLORIOUS NEW YORK caliber, did some excellent singing. Her French, when one could understand it, AUDIENCE WILL Nor FAIL TO RESPOND. was good, and her style better than - Paderewski that of many a seasoned concert artist. She had the sense not to force her voice P.P.S. beyond its capability in the matter of Historic Record of the Paraphrase volume. Mr. Kraft's singing gave much delight to the audience in spite of an of "Chopsticks" to be Auctioned over-use of falsetto. It is produced too far back which results in a lack of A record commemorative of this concert has been made at variety in quality. Miss Moncrieff sang the suggestion of Mr. Ernest Schelling and with the generous consistently sharp, but her voice has a fine contralto quality and considerable participation of Mmes. Hess, Leginska, Mero and Novaes, and range. Her interpretations were good. Messrs. Bauer, Ganz, Hofmann, Hutcheson, Schelling and Mr. La Forge's accompaniments were Siloti, who have each contributed a recording of one number above praise and his one number, shared with the Duo-Art, was excellently done. in the paraphrase of "Chopsticks", being performed this evening. Mr. Berumen, also, was much applauded. Both Mr. Carver and Mr. Kraft featured The Duo-Art Recording Studio has presented the original songs by Mr. La Forge. J. A. H. (and only) "artist's copy", bearing the signatures of the distinguished contributors, mounted in gold and contained in Above article from f a beautiful leather case, which is to be auctioned tonight for the MUSICAL AMERICA 1920 benefit of the A.I.C.P. Contributed by Emmett Ford 14 W"URLITZER - R.I.P. I- English Conductor Praises By Richard Howe I Reproducing Pianos ; j SIR LANDON RONALD, com This is a follow-up to the article, entitled "Chronology of Important Events in i poser, principal of the Guild ~= hall School of Music, London, and the History ofthe Wurlitzer Company", which appeared in the NovemberlDecember conductor of the Royal Albert Hall 1991 issue of the Bulletin. Orchestra, stated recently, accord ing to the New York World, that Wurlitzer, or what~s left ofit, has now filed for Chapter ll. The following article no serious mu'sician should scoff at appeared in the August 31, 1992 issue of the Houston Business Journal: Swan song for R-Urlitzer: A once-mighty music manufacturer files for Chapter 11. More than four years have passed since the day music died at The Wurlitzer Co. But the firm that once made millions off of happy people pounding electronic organs has now sounded a final note by filing for federal bankruptcy protection under Chapter ll. Wurltech Industries, Inc., doing business as The Wurlitzer Co., was best known for its jukeboxes and electronic keyboards, although the company later diversified into manufacturing other musical instruments and other products like billiard tables. Wurlitzer actually ceased operations in February of1988 after selling the assets of its keyboard business and the "Wurlitzer" name to Baldwin Piano and Organ Co. The two companies had once been fierce competitors, but Baldwin prospered by bran ching into grand pianos and grandfather clocks while Wurlitzer floundered financially. ~1II1".....mlllI1WI"""mlllllllllll"llllllllnlll1ll1l"lIl1",mll"III1"IIIII'"I>IIl'''''""",.",m"""'UIIUH"""- In March of 1988, Wurlitzer also stopped manufacturing billiard tables for Brunswick Bowling and Billiard Corp., which had been its only customer and re maining source of revenue. GRAINGER IN RECITAL Since then, the public company has been liquidating the remainder of its assets in an effort to secure debt, says Pat Winstead, vice president and controller. Pianist Heard in Admirable Program with Aid of Duo-Art Piano ,- Company executives finally resorted to bankruptcy because "there were con Percy Grainger exhibited once more tingent liabilities that couldn't be dealt with," Winstead explains. his translucent art in a program given at Aeolian Hall, Dec. 2, when he WliS Now the company that employed 678 people when it was sold to Baldwin for assisted by the Duo-Art piano. The sub $17 million is left with little more than a couple of part-time workers and assets of tlety, limpidness and comprehension $1Z7,211. Liabilities are listed at $897,463. which envelope his playing was exhibited in a program which began with the Bach Winstead indicates that part of the reorganization plan may include the sale of Liszt Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, two classes of preferred stock to a Houston-based investment group. and included, in his solo numbers, the Chopin Posthumous Etude in A Flat, Although Wurlitzer was delisted by the New York Stock Exchange in 1990, it and his own inspired "Colonial Song" is still registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a public company. and joyful "Country Gardens." With the assistance of the musical reflections of A purchase ofthe preferred stock, which would not involve an exchange of money, the Duo-Art piano, the pianist, gave the first movement of the Grieg Concerto in would give the purchaser about a 51 percent voting control in Wurlitzer. Winstead A Minor, to which he played the second declines further comment on any further details of the possible sale, including the piano accompaniment, while his own rec names of any potential buyers. ord of the solo was played. In his own "Children's March" Mr. Grainger gave Wurlitzer's stint as a Houston public company is only a small part of the firm's the solo, with a record of the second piano 136-year-old history. Wurlitzer, founded in 1856, moved here from DeKalb, Illinois, part, while in the Symphonic Dance of Scott, which headed the program, Mr. in June of 1987 as part of an attempt to combat the worldwide slump in piano sales Grainger played to the Scott record of that ~truck in the 1970s and stretched into the 1980s. the first piano part. Guion's "Turkey in the Straw" was played alternately by Mr. The firm set up in Houston, established new leadership and marketing strategies Grainger and by the Duo-Art. An audi and reduced employment at its manufacturing plants by about 20 percent. ence which crowded the hall demanded encores throughout the program. Revenues for 1987 increased by more than $3 million over 1986, but the com F. R. G. pany still lost money. And despite revenues of$8.2 million in 1988, Wurlitzer posted Above articles from a net loss of $2.6 million. MUSICAL AMERICA 1918-21 Statistics for 1988 were the last ones reported by the company. Figures since Contributed by Emmett Ford r then have been recorded under the SEC's liquidation rules. 15 TECH'TIPS THE BENCH HOOK A Simple Safety Tool For The Player Piano Shop By Bennet Leedy The bench hook is probably as old as the art of wood~orking itself; however, it still has a place in the modern shop alongside the power tools. As shown in Fig. 1, the bench hook is a simple device. It is a board with cleats applied to the top and bottom. They can be any size you want, and can be built from scrap wood. Mine was made from old shelving and other wood from the scrap box. It measures 14" wide and 13" deep. In use, the bench hook is set on the edge of the bench with the bottom cleat "7 <' holding it from sliding. The work is placed against the top cleat to allow you to chisel, scrape, or carry out a number of different operations without holding the part. Fig. 2 shows the top valve seat of a Gulbransen unit pneumatic being removed while held on the bench hook. The bench hook is a handy item that should be in your shop. It helps keep your fingers away from cutting operations. Also, you should wear safety glasses whenever you are performing operations that will generate chips or other items that may fly through the air. < 16 "k- 17 PROGRAM WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 1993 2:00-7:30 pm Registration Open 9:00 am-5:00 pm Board Meetings Committee Meetings 8:00-10:00 pm..Masterpieces of Early Music Boxes 7:00-7:45 pm. . ,New Members Reception 7:00 pm., Pumper Contest Preliminaries 8:00 pm Social Hour THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 1993 7:00-7:45 am, 4:00-7:30 pm Registration Open Beginning 8:00 am....Tours of Private Collections· EAST TOUR (Lunch Included) WEST TOUR (Lunch Included) 6:00-8:00 pm Dinner on your own 8:00 pm Pumper Contest FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 1993 7:00-8:30 am, 4:30-5:30 pm Registration Open 8:00-11:00 am, 1:30-5:00 pm Workshops 11:15 am-1:15 pm Academy Awards Luncheon 6:00 pm COncert & Picnic Supper at the Hollywood Bowl 01~\J SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4,1993 7:30-9:00 am Registration Open e e Beginning 8:00 am Tours of Private Collections· ~~~ (Same as Thursday) 6:00-8:00 pm Dinner on your own 6:00-8:00 pm Masterpieces of Early Music Boxes \?\\J1~O 8:00 pm The Reel Automata Masters SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 5,1993 ,U-v.\o-v.':l \- .. ~ 7:00-8:30 am Breakfast 8:30-10:15 am MBSI Business Meeting ~(), ~0"i 10:15 Snacks and Beverages ~ t t",e . <{\,,0~ (p~ce~e 10:15-12:00 AMICA Business Meeting po ~0': ~\. 12:00 noon Lunch on your own 0.'?P 'O'3-~o;v. \, 1:30-2:30 pm Mart Set Up qloo \~~ . ~ '3 2:30-5:30 pm Mart ~0~"J e... e~· o~~ \v.o.~ 5:30-7:00 pm Mart Tear-Down 'Ov.~0.'3-"J!\. CO~eC:'>~'3-~\' \.~Cv.- 18 19 NEVVS FRO:M: THE CHAPTERS BOSTON AREA CHAPIER .1)()n__B..!~n,. Reporter The fall meeting of the Boston Area Chapter was held at the home of Mike and Pat Amoroso. The announced features were aR Ampico A in a Chickering Grand, and a Standard action upright pumper. The Ampico/Chickering came from the Billerica Masonic hall, and restoration was done with Alan Piers help. The un-announced pleasure was a great outdoor cook-out and social after noon. There was a batch of freebee 88-rolls to be shared and a barbecue of hot dogs and hamburgers with salads and fruit to go with the finger snacks brought by the members. Bill Koenigsberg brought his photo album of the convention pictures and related his enjoyable experiences there and the news of other AMICAns attending. His repair gem from the convention was the use of McDonalds straws to replace pre~24 Ampico popper rods into holes in bed during stack repairs. The large Ampico A Chickering straw diameter and ready availability made the re-insertion easy. Mike Potash. Dave Levin, Alan Pier, Charlie Randazzo and Tony Giglio Tony Mis/ano, Alan Pier, Alan Jayne and Bill Koenigsberg reminisce at the pumper. the Convention. Our Host, Mike Amoroso prepares watermellon. Bill Koenigsberg conducts short business meeting. 20 The fall in Southern Ontario and Western New York has I ,been quite nice. The weather has stayed warm and only a few V cooler days have come and gone to warn us of the forthcoming winter. A mid-September trip to the home of Howard and Lori Root proved to be the perfect ending to a wonderful summer. The Roots live in an older section of Weiland which is noted for its larger, meticulously kept homes. Down the street are the city's beautiful rose gardens which draw visitors from all over Canada and the U.S. Part of the "Gang': From I to r. .. Nancy Group, Muriel Hodgkins, Harold Hodgkins, Ada Cairns, Ken Vinen in front, Garry Lemon in the back. The meeting is wuJer way and rapt attention is given to our president. The home of Howard and Lori Root in Wetland, Ontario. Another part of the group includes: Ken Vinen, Stan Aldridge, Knthy Thompson, Lori Root, John Thompson, and Anne Lemon, our Secretary is taking copious notes. As the sun began to set we moved inside. Their home in side is as well preserved and neatly arranged as outside. Their furnishings reflect the granduer that their home deserves. Their piano, a Weber Duo-Art grand, was put into use and provided the musical program for the evening. Since the belly cloth had been removed, there were inquisitive eyes peering under the piano looking at the placement of accordion pneumatics and pump and motor. A variety of rolls, both classical and popular, were played. Everyone seemed pleased with the music that emanated from this marvelous instrument. Stan Aldridge, a nurseryman, looks at the great variety ofplants and shrubs that are in the Root's back yard. Roots proved to be wonderful hosts, sharing their home and garden. Although their fruit trees had given up all of their fall harvest, there were tales of a very bountiful crop and a lot of hard work canning the fruits. When dinner time had arrived, appetizers were followed Hostess, Lori Root, turns surprised, while Muriel Hodgkins and presi by corn on the cob which had been grilled with husks on an dent John Cairns in back, wait for an annswer. open fire. A pot luck buffet with salads, hot dogs, hamburgers and all the rest of the trimmings made for a wonderful after As the night grew darker, we slowly departed, looking for noon outside. ward to our next meeting in October. 21 TO PORT ROBINSON WE GO Wayne and Sharon Sockovie were the amiable hosts of our October meeting. Their home, a converted school, offers all the conveniences that you could ever want in a house. A single floor plan with large rooms, high ceilings and a living room with a wood floor (the former gym) make this a perfect house. There was a great amount of work that went into the conversion, though. Many weeks of dust, wall relocation, plumbing changes, etc., went into the transformation process. Janie McCleary and Anne Lemon were deep in a conversation when this picture was taken. I-r: Garry Lemon, president John Caims and Rick Drewniak enjoy the Nancy and Ed Group from Erie, PA join in a conversation with Ken sun porch out back. Vinen from Stratford, ant. Bi-national meetings are such fun. This meeting provided a great opportunity for many of the members to catch up on recent events with other chapter members. In the meantime, their upright player with an Otto Higel action played a variety of tunes. The business meeting portion of the day was not overly long. A Nominating Committee was formed to present a slate of can didates for chapter offices for 1993. With the business of the day taken care of, we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon and the music and company (and food) which was there to share. Host utlyne Sockovie, left, discusses a variety oftopics with Diane and John Thompson, while Nancy Group (back to camera) and Holly utllter are covering .some other topic. lnJer that night, Bill McCleary, John Caims and Randy Sockovie pause for a minute. The Canadian player with the Otto-Higel action which saw some use ~re Garry Lemon and John Thompson trying to do a mirror reflec on that musical day. tion of each other? John seems to be smiling a bit more. 22 S.O.VV.N.Y. I by Mike HWter A NOVEMBER TRIP -- 10 STRATFORD, ONTARIO Shakespeare's plays are not the only reasons to travel to Stratford, Ontario. The home of Ken Vinen, which is also a Bed and Breakfast, offers a great varie ty of unusual sights, sounds and smells to the weary or curious traveller. Woods Villa, Ken's home, started its life in the 1800s and for many years was the residence of a pro minent physician. When Ken acquired the home, it had been vacant for a number of years and was in need of a great deal of T.L.e. At the present time, though, it seems to be a perfect restoration of days gone by, with traces of grandeur in discreet places. The mechanical instruments also reflect an era The stained glass on Ken's Coinola was very beautiful. when beautiful music was not heard on the radio, but emanated from instruments with names such as Regina, Coinola, Ampico, Victrola and even Wurlitzer. The Orchestral Regina is a focal point of melodic music. "Waves of the Danube" seemed to flow so smoothly from the impressive cabinet that you could be mesmerized without much trouble at all. The Reproduco Player Piano & Pipe Organ played merrily away. Although it had seen use as a mortuary organ in its earlier years, Ken doesn't play very many pieces of that type of music. Another prominent instrument in his "Music Room" is a Coinola. The cabinet with its stained glass present together a perfect match of wood and glass. The music which came from within was also quite appropriate for its age and original use. The Ampico is a late A, carved leg beauty. The Haines piano is a real workhorse. Although it has been used quite heavily in its present location, it still reproduced very nicely. Ken has a penchant for ragtime which keeps Ken's fine sounding Reproduco Pipe Organ. . the piano hopping. All of the above-mentioned in struments are in his music room. The house, which has five bedrooms, has a great number of other interesting items to see. The dining room has a nice collection ofjuke boxes to entertain while visitors are dining. Three Wurlitzer machines, a 1015 from 1946, a 750 from 1941, and a model 61 countertop from 1939 echo refrains of Tom my Dorsey and Ella Fitzgerald while a Seeburg model "B" jukebox from 1951 plays 45s with a more modern beat. The smells which were mentioned earlier came primarily from the kitchen. Ken and Henry, his . partner in crime, cooked up a mean meal. The Satur day evening dinner with its pork entree was superb and Sunday morning eggs and bacon and homemade cranberry muffins were delightful. Everyone who came the distance was pleasantly rewarded with sights, sounds, and smells that not often Our chapter members in a pensive mood as our president, John Cairns, reads a come their way. Letter from International. 23 s.n.W.N.Y. November Trip continued Ii " S.O.VV.N.Y.·. .... by Garry kmon .~. I "THE CHRISTMAS PARTY" On a frosty but remarkably clear winter's weekend in December,-i the SOWNY Chapter celebrated Christmas at the Lancaster home of Mike and Holly Walter. Running Brook Drive, true to its name, offered an ever changing view of a festive streetscape - of snow and white lights, of snowmen and white candles. Our hosts, appreciating the distances travell ed and weather fickleness, were in fine form and kept boots, coats and mittens warm and dry. During planning stages of their home, the Walters made sure the high vaulted ceilings could be put to good advantage - a 12 foot Norway spruce decked with antique bubble lights and hand made ornaments and much tinsel was the backdrop to living room conversation, music and song. It was just a year ago that Mike and Bruce Bartholomew travelled to New York City with a rental trailer and a wallet full of Uncle Sam's funds. They returned with a 5'4" 1935 Chickering Ampico B. The polish ed walnut case, the rebuilt drawer and the recent tuning and regulation clearly demonstrate the high quality of American made pianos, the· perseverance of the original manufacturers and the enthusiasm of today's restorers. This Orchestral Regina produced such sweet tones that one Many members took the opportunity to view the Wurlitzer noo was almost tempted to see ifit could be moved out the door Jukebox - equipped with genuine cobra tone arm - and listened to the without the move being seen. 50's tune of 'Wake up Little Suzy' or heard the mellow voice of Perry Como on the Seeburg looA. The basement display and workshop area have been constructed with unusually high ceilings and wide access stair ways to both the garage and the main floor. Daughter Michelle showed Dad's latest restoration projects while son Christopher chose rolls for the Stoddard Ampico and clapped for Bill Ort's rendition of the ,Entertainer.' This handsome Victrola could still make Sophie Tucker belt out a mean sounding tune. Stan Aldridge, Nancy Group and Randy Sockovie are discussing some aspect of player pianos or juke boxes or music boxes or Scopitones or . . . 'In strictest silence' we were asked to read a page of 20 cartoons and ... 'name these Christmas caroles.' In animated fashion, clues flashed from Harry Marciniak's flicking Christmas tree tie and Fred Buchwald's 'Oh I thought that. ..' and Muriel Hodgkin's, 'well if you got number 10, then you should get number 8.' Barb Sockovie got the highest score and, following a round of applause, our seasonal supper was presented. Stan Aldridge's venison stew and Ken Vinen's Canadian apple, turnip and carrot casserole were delicious - seconds and thirds of desserts took us through the meeting. Vice President Rick Drewniak read the list of candidates for 1993 and after voting, congratulations were extended to the new officers and thank you's to the retiring members. Harolet' Norma & Harry Marciniak were discussing the mechanics Hodgkins has often noted that our club benefits from our Can-Am of a 19th century Autophone. approach and support. 24 S.o.W.N.Y. Christmas continued ·1 The Christmas gift exchange - including the rule that 'you own it if you have it three times in your possession' - always - produces a merry-go-round of excitement. Norma Marciniak's 'playing of Christmas carols and the inimitable harmonizing of host, hostess, members and guests left a truly memorable mo ment for all. A birds-eye view ofthe gift exchange proceedings while everyone (almost) is distracted momentarily by the photographer. Stan Aldridge looks intently upon an unusual tracker bar with vertical holes above a portion of the regular holes. Everyone anxiously awaits the opening of the next gift by Harry Marciniak. Piano roll boxes don't always have rolls inside of them. .Everyone listens intewly to Garry Lemon as he plays a Chopin Polonaise on Mike & Holly's 1935 Chickering Ampico B. Harry Marciniak opened up his gift exchange gift and he found . a rubber chicken. 1 wonder who is going to steal this. It almost looks as ifFred Buchwald has just collapsed from starvation after hostess Holly Walter has refused to feed him any dessert... 25 GATEVVAY CHAPTER. lArry Holltnberg, Reporter A two day trip to the central Missouri town of Columbia, hosted by Bob and Gloria Taylor, made for a great fall meeting of the Gateway Chapter. Also attending were many members of the Heart of America Chapter from the Kansas City side of the state. The Taylor's had arranged an exciting schedule of events beginning with a mini-tour of the University of Missouri, Columbia campus with its many historic buildings. After lunch it was off to the historic river town of Rocheport for a leisurely afternoon of sight seeing, antiquing and a stroll along a section of the "KATY TRAIL", an abandoned rail line that has been converted to a hiking trail. Some of us came away with a few Ellen and Craig Brougher. musical treasures discovered in a quaint antique shop. (Music of the silent movie era as well as rare theatre organ publisher promo copies with arrangements by such stars as Lew White, etc.) The rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying the wonder ful fall colors and sipping wine and juices and snacking while perched high above the Missouri River at a local winery. Enter tainment was provided by Bill Miko and Ron Bopp and their street organs and self-playing accordian. l-r: Gerold Koehler, Russ Nichols, Ron Bopp. The evening was spent at the Taylor home where a large crowd had gathered. Bob demonstrated his exquisite collection of pianos. Included were: Mason and Hamlin AMPICO B 5'8" Walnut Louis XIV, Mason and Hamlin RBB 7' AMPICO A, Dorothy Ruprecht and Ron Bobb. Ebony, 1. & C. Fischer Spanish art case 5'3" with original mat ching shawls for the piano as well as the BENCH! These in struments along with Charles Stoddard's personal Chinese AM PICO roll cabinet were displayed in the octagonal, custom designed living room of the incredible Taylor Prarie School style home. On the lower level of the home, visiting house guest and long time friend of the Taylor family, Robin Pratt, gave an ex citing and informative demonstration of the ARTCRAFT line of music rolls. This included not only the DUO-ART, AMPICO and 88-note rolls available, but also rolls that Robin had been personally involved with as far as the arranging and locating of rare selections. Following the presentation and super snacks pro vided by Gloria, there were tours of the Taylor shop and exten sive roll collection as well as the downstairs library where members could enjoy the 1937 George Steck AMPICO spinet. An exciting restoration in progress is the 1930 Charles Frederick Stein Welte-Mignon. A great evening enjoyed by all! Gerald Koehler and Dottie Ruprecht. continued 26 ~ G---,·!i.~TE----,-W;....:..._~---,C:...:.HAPT-,---....:...._ER..:-._c_o_nt_in_u_e_d---'~--J·I l-r: Billie Pohl, Bill Pohl, Bill Mikko, Gary and Rose Stevenson. Robin Pratt demonstrating the diverse selections ofmusic rolls available from An-Craft on Taylor's outstanding An Case Steinway Duo-An. The following morning a tour and organ concert was presented at the United Methodist Church. The group then adjourned to the 1877 country estate of Mr. and Mrs. Slater Lenoir, called "MAPLEWOOD", now owned by the BOONE COUNTY mSlDRICAL SOCIETY. The home contains many of the original furnishings and has been tastefully restored with even a 1932 Marshall and Wendell AMPICO B restored in a project by the Chicago Chapter several years ago when the Taylors lived in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In the home is stored the last performance piano of Blind Boone, a local musician noted nationally for his tum of the century concerts and com positions. The concert grand piano is in a spectacular golden oak case and was built by Chickering and has been recently Back row: Joe Lorberg, Del Sewell, Deane Wiley, Gary Craig, Robin restored. Mr. Bob Ault, pianist and music historian, presented Pratt, Gary Stevenson. a program of Blind Boone selections. In another building recently 3rd row: Bob Crowley, Bob Taylor, Gloria Taylor, Mary Wilson, Carole built by the Historical Society was a collection of local Wiley, Bill Mikko, Rose Stevenson. memorabilia which was opened for our viewing. 2nd row: (from bottom), Yousuf Wilson, Dorothy Ruprecht, Joanne Jacobs, Nor Sewell, Cynthia Craig. Front row: Emily Stevenson, Thomas Stevenson, Regina Stevenson, Gus Stevenson. *********************************** _S--.O",-U__T_·_H_E_R_N_. ._.C_ All smiles are Jim Shrider, Diane Reidy, Debbie Shrider. Debbie was guest of honor at the Baby Shower - no wonder the big smiles. Our Hosts: Ben and Mary Lilien in front of their pianino. Everyone enjoyed themselves, eating way too much, gabbing into the evening with friends, and giving the music machines a good work out. Our heartfelt thanks to Ben and Mary. Our next meeting will be in Fullerton at the home of Lowell and Joanna Boeland on Sunday, February 21st, and it should be a good one. It will be a new meeting place for most of us, and we look forward to it. -* Our chapter is busy making convention plans. The Conven tion Committee meets regularly, planning great things for those of you who attend. We do have some nice surprises lined up, and regardless of the problems you hear about, Los Angeles is ~ Ray and Evelyn McBride. a wonderful city, with a divergence found few other places. Ray either was King ofthe Holidays or he tried the right margarine. The table favors promise to be collectors items long after the Convention is over, and we have been working on them for ages. It is a fun project, and many hands are busy at various times. We sincerely hope to see all our friends from all over the globe here in Los Angeles in 1993, and we hope we can enter tain you, and make you smile. After the election - the officers l-r: Frank Nix; sec. /Reponer; Shirley Nix, Pres.; Herb Mercer, Vice-Pres.; Ken Hodge, Treas.; Missing was Mary Lilien, our International Board Rep. Work pany for the convention favors. In the back yard at the Nix home - you can see the real thing at the '93 convention. l-r: Bob Little, Jerryr Brown, Frank Nix, Lloyd Osmundson pointing the way! Pat Hodge, Shirley Nix, and Helene Sutter take a moment from the festivities to discuss imponant issues. Sure! continued 28 [ .' Southern California Chapter continued Taking a rest from all the hard work (?) they were doing on the '93 Working hard (?) on the table favors are: Frank Nix; Herb Mercer, wav Convention table favors. Lunch is included ifthey work hard enough. ing from the back; lloyd Osmundson; Henry Shapter; Ben Lilien; Bill l-r: Frank Nix, Ben Lilien, Henry Shapter, Herb Mercer, lloyd Osmund- Blair. son, Bill Blair. ' I-t' \..-/ 29 FOR SALE ORGAN CASSETTE TAPES: Bopp's Bruder (52-key Bruder Fairground Organ); French Fanciness (49-key Limonaire Fairground Organ); 31/84Rajfin Orgel (3 I-key Raffm Street Organ) and Calliope Capers (TangIey Calliope Reproduction). Tapes $9.00 each postpaid. r Bopp, 4015 McClelland, Joplin, MO 64804. PIANO ROLL AUCTIONS, reproducing and 88-note rolls. Bennett Leedy Rolls, 4660 Hagar Shore Road, Coloma, MI 49038. Phone 616-468-5986. PLAYER PIANO STACKS REBUILT. High quality work and materials $1,000-$1,200. Unrestored players for sale. William Maguire, 159 Dix Hills Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746. 516-427-5934. ARTCRAFT MUSIC ROLLS (88-note and "Reproducing") are The World's Standard for Concert Performances! Elevate your Pianola with crisp and exciting ARTCRAFT "Interpretive Arrangements"! (We guarantee NO "hand-played" or "sheet music transfer" rolls in our brochures!) Send $3.50 for Catalogue and demonstration Tape. ART CRAFT, P.O. Box 295, Wiscasset, ME 04578 U.S.A. CUSTOM ROLL CABINET, SOLID WALNUT, 73" high x 38" wide x 21" deep, cabriole legs, dental/pediment top, interior light, holds 150+ piano rolls, photos avail. $400 OBO, Dick Leis, 524 Queen Eleanor Court, Miamisburg, OH 45342. 513-859-7983. VINTAGE PIANO ROLLS. Since 1970, we have supplied collectors with the finest in reproducing and 88-note rolls thru our mail auctions. We regularly feature Ampico, Duo-Art and Welte rolls, and a great variety of 88-note rolls with a specialty in hard-to-find rags ~ and jazz categories. We also recut many of these gems and produce .- our own Hot Piano Classics label of rag and jazz performances never before available on rolls. These are sold at a fixed price. Try us you'll like us! Mike and Annie Schwimmer, Piano Roll Center, 325 E. Blodgett, Lake Bluff, IL 60044-2112. cmCKERING AMPICO MODEL B, 5'-4" in beautiful walnut Sheraton Art Case, choice unrestored, $9,500, Mason & Hamlin Ampico Model "B", 5'-8", walnut case, very nice condition, $14,500. Bill & Dee Kavouras, 2740 Lightouse Ct., Lynwood, IL 60411, 708-474-8787. PIANO ROLL AUCTION. Periodic mail auctions of mostly 88-note rolls and some reproducing rolls from collection of the late Si Riman. For the latest auction, call or write DAN INGLIMA, P.O. Box 769, Hayesville, NC 28904. 704-389-3744. 1914 GAVIOLI BAND ORGAN sold under the "Berni" name. Plays 66 key B.A.B rolls (included). Heavily carved facade. A one-of-a-kind instrument in fine condition. (908) 687-4397. WURLITZER STYLE 153 BAND ORGAN, the most popular of the Wurlitzers, older restoration needs some "tweaking", new (1970's) Stinson facade, Artizan double tracker system, great for parades and rental, $32,000. National Automatic Dog Race piano, with automatic changer/selector system, unrestored $5,500. Peerless 44-note upright coin piano, great oak cabinet with fretwork, converted to Pianolin endless system long ago, from the Harvey Roehl Rhode Island hoard, ~ $5,500. Harmonipan style monkey organ, 33-key, 37 pipes, needs' restoration, $4.5QO. Regina 15'12" curved front automatic changer music box, mahog~y home model, $17,500. Martin Roenigk, 26 Bar ton Hill, East Hampton, CT 06424. (203) 267-8682. 30 FOR SALE ADVERTISING INFORMATION ORGAN CASSETIE TAPES: Bopp's Bruder (52-key Bruder Fairground Organ); French Fanciness (49-key Limonaire Fairground Organ); 31/84 Raffin Orgel (31-key Raffm Street Organ) and Calliope Capers (Tangley Calliope Reproduction). Tapes $9.00 each postpaid. :r~ CLASsIFIED ADVERTISING: "20C' per '. word, $3.00 minjmilin for members. Non-members may advertise at 40C Bopp, 4015 McClelland, Joplin, MO 64804. per word ($6.00 JiliJiimiun.) Because of the lOw costaf classifieds, we are unable to provide proof copies.. PIANO ROLL AUCTIONS, reproducing and 88-note rolls. Bennett Leedy Rolls, 4660 Hagar Shore Road, Coloma, MI 49038. Phone '. : . 616-468-5986. PAYMENT: in U.S.-funds must accompany order. Make c~ecks p~ble to AMICA INTERNATIONAL. ' PLAYER PIANO STACKS REBUILT. High quality work and materials $1,000-$1,200. Unrestored players for sale. William DEADLrNEs: ~fthe09dmonths: 1st day January; March, Maguire, 159 Dix Hills Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746. May, 'July, september, November. The Bulletin' will be 516-427-5934. , mailed the 1st week of the even months. ARTCRAFf MUSIC ROLLS (88-note and "Reproducing") are The World's Standard for Concert Performances! Elevate your Pianola with DISPLAY ADVERTISING crisp and exciting ARTCRAFT "Interpretive Arrangements"! (We Current Rate New lbtte guarantee NO "hand-played" or "sheet music transfer" rolls in our brochures!) Send $3.50 for Catalogue and demonstration Tape. ART FuliPage - 71f2"'xlO" $180.00 $120.00 CRAFT, P.O. Box 295, Wiscasset, ME 04578 U.S.A. Half Page - 7V2"x4*" $100.00 $ 65.00 5 CUSTOM ROLL CABINET, SOLID WALNUT, 73" high x 38" Quar(er,Page - 3 / 8"x4*"$ 65.00 $ 35.00 wide x 21" deep, cabriole legs, dental/pediment top, interior light, . Business Card - 31h"X2" $ 40.00 $ 25.00 holds 150+ piano rolls, photos avail. $400 OBO, Dick Leis, 524 Queen , Each photograph or halftone $8.00. Eleanor Court, Miamisburg, OH 45342. 513-859-7983. We recommend that display advertisers supply camera-ready VINTAGE PIANO ROLLS. Since 1970, we have supplied copy.~ Copy that isoverstzed Or undersized will be changed collectors with the finest in reproducing and 88-note rolls thru our mail to correct size at your cost. We can prepare an advertise auctions. We regularly feature Ampico, Duo-Art and Welte rolls, and mentfrom your suggested layout at cost. a great variety of 88-note rolls with a specialty in hard-to-find rags ~ and jazz categories. We also recut many of these gems and produce ;:T PAYMENT: in U.S. funds mlist accompany order. TYpe~ our own Hot Piano Classics label of rag and jazz performances never setting, layout size alteration charges will be' billed before available on rolls. These are sold at a fixed price. Try us separately., Make· cheCk payable to AMICA you'll like us! Mike and Annie Schwimmer, Piano Roll Center, 325 INTERNAtIONAL. ' E. Blodgett, Lake Bluff, IL 60044-2112. DEADLINES: lstday. ofthe odd months: Jappary, ,March, cmCKERING AMPICO MODEL B, 5'-4" in beautiful walnut May, Jply,September,'November. The BuUetin will be Sheraton Art Case, choice unrestored, $9,500, Mason & Hamlin mailed the 1st week of the even months. Ampico Model "B", 5'-8", walnut case, very nice condition, $14,500. Bill & Dee Kavouras, 2740 Lightouse Ct., Lynwood, IL 60411, 708-474-8787. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ALL ADVERTISING IN THE AMICABlJUETIN PIANO ROLL AUCTION. Periodic mail auctions of mostly 88-note rolls and some reproducing rolls from collection of the late Si Riman. For the latest auction, call or write DAN INGLIMA, P.O. Box 769, AHadvertising should be directed to: Hayesville, NC 28904. 704-389-3744. .Robin Pratt 515 Scott Street 1914 GAVIOLI BAND ORGAN sold under the "Berni" name. Plays Sandusky, QJ;rio 44870"3736 66 key B.A.B rolls (included). Heavily carved facade. A one-of-a-kind (4i9) 626-1903 instrument in fine condition. (908) 687-4397. WURLITZER STYLE 153 BAND ORGAN, the most popular of the Wurlitzers, older restoration needs some "tweaking", new (1970's) Stinson facad~, Artizan double tracker system, great for parades and rental, $32,000. National Automatic Dog Race piano, with automatic changer/selector system, unrestored $5,500. Peerless 44-note upright .The BUUETIN accepts adv~rtising ,without any endorSe coin piano, great oak cabinet with fretwork, converted to Pianolin ment, implied or otherwise, of the products or ,services . endless system long ago, from the Harvey Roehl Rhode Island hoard, r being offered. Ad copy mustcontain text directly related to $5,500. Hanno~ipan style monkey organ, 33-key, 37 pipes, needs the product/service ·being ot'fere,d. Extraneous text will be restoration, $4,5~. Regina 15V2" curved front automatic changer . deleted at the Publisher's discretion. music box, mahogl\!ly home model, $17,500. Martin Roenigk, 26 Bar ton Hill, East Hampton, CT 06424. (203) 267-8682. 30 FOR SALE continued cmCKERING, AMPICO MODEL 'W' in standard walnut case. PIANO ROLL AUCfIONS, reproducing, 88-Note, and related items. 5'8" with bench. Professionally restored in 1989. $14,000. Located in Bennet Leedy Rolls, 4660 Hagar Shore Road, Coloma, MI 49038. Chicago area. Terry Hochmuth, 101 North Reed, Joliet, IL 60435. (815) 616-468-5986. 744-1422 during business hours Monday-Friday. ./ WELTE LICENSEE RECUT SERIES #3. A set of 30 titles, 23 classical and 7 popular and marches, all transcribed from Green Welte WANTED rolls. Rare perfonnances and artists. Black alligator paper covered card WANTED: AMICA BULLETINS Jan-Feb. IfJ77, July 1983, May board boxes with Purple Seal style labels. Sold in sets only, for $435, June 1987, Jan. Feb. 1990, Mar-Apr. 1990. Emmett M. Ford, 649 N. plus shipping. For a list and further information, please contact John Pinecrest, Wichita, KS 67208-3554. McClelland, at (512) 331-0141, evenings. WANTED: REGINA MUSICAL SAVINGS BANK. Am also still MILLS VIOLANO ROLLS 7 for $1,200. WELTE Purple Seal recut purchasing original literature. Richard Howe,73 Saddlebrook Lane, rolls 32 for $640. SEEBURG E Nickelodeon $12,000. SEEBURG K Houston, TX 77024. 713-680-9945. Nickelodeon w/flute pipes $18,000. SEEBURG L Nickelodeon $11,000. WURLITZER Theatre Orchestra w/150 pipes (encyl pg 696) $25,000. WANTED: MUSIC BOXES in any condition. Disk or cylinder. Top WURLITZER IXB Nickelodeon wlbells & roll changer $24,000. prices paid. Also want Welte pipe organ. Arnold Levin, 2634 Woodlawn BAND ORGAN recut rolls 20 for $400. APOLLO Ampico 6' 2" Player Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. Phone 708-564-2893. Grand Piano w/12-legs & art case $22,000. REPRODUCO w/organ & Chimes 511,000. FISHER Ampico Player Grand Piano 5' 6" WANTED: MILLS VIOLANOS, art-cased pianos, orchestrions, w/Queen Anne Art Case $24,000. cmCKERING 6' 5" Ampico Player nickelodeons, band organs, monkey organs, coin-operated machines, Grand Piano $16,000. LINK AX Orchestrion $28,000. RCA Or automatic disc changers, upright/console or table-top disc music boxes, throphonic Records 200 for $300. ALL INSTRUMENTS IN CHOICE on matching tables. Am also buying collections (large or small), with CONDITION, restored & refinished. WANTED: Mills Violanos, fast payment and pick-up at your door. WAYNE EDMONSTON, 2177 Music Boxes, Changers, Rolls, Collections, Nickelodeons, Orchestrions, Bishop Estates Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32259, 904-287-5996, FAX Large Cylinder Boxes, Link A Rolls & Mills violano rolls. WAYNE 904-287-4131. EDMONSION, 2177 Bishop Estates Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32259. Tel. (904) 287-5996. FAX (904) 287-4131. WANTED: AMPICO B REPRODUCING COMPONENTS. Will pay up to $2,500 for original, complete, unrestored Ampico B pneumatic 1929 STEINWAY DUO-ART XR Walnut 1f262226 6'2", original stack with 33 valve blocks per deck layer. Spacing of striker pneumatics unrestored, excellent condition, w/bench. $10,500. B. Koenigsberg, 77 is not important. Other Ampico B parts needed (separate bass and tre High Pine Circle, Concord, MA 01742. 508-369-8523. ble expression regulators from type 2 Ampico B). Please call or write Bill Koenigsberg, 77 High Pine Circle, Concord, MA 01742. " STEINWAY "OR" walnut modem case, completely restored $18,900. 508-369-8523. Aeolian Upright Players, Victorian Artease Steinway Uprights. Ran dolph Herr, 111-07 77th Ave., Forest Hills, NY 11375. 718-520-1443. MARSHALL-WENDELL AMPICO B 4' 8", Wm. & Mary, Mahogany 100% restored 1985, $8,500. Knabe Ampico A 5' 8" Mah, 100% restored 1992 $11,000. Stroud Duo-Art Upr. $750, Stieff Welte INteRNatioNal Upr. $600, Milton Welte Upr. $500, all unrestored. Always have foot pumpers - restored or as is. Joe Hilferty. 717-755-0209 PA. ORGAN LEAtHERS 1929 STROUD DUO-ART UPRIGHT. Electric Model 593-P. Full QUALITY CIRTIPIID LlATHlR8 &: TOOL8 Duo-Art mechanism. Original, complete, unrestored. One location for rOR PIPE ORGAN8 • PLATIR PlAN08 • TUIATiR ORGAN8 63 years. $1,600. Call or write: David Charrier, 76fJ7 Fillmore St., Philadelphia, PA 19111, (215) 342-1U74. 412 West Marion South Bend, IN 46601 1932 MARSHALL & WENDELL AMPICO B, 4' 8" grand, William Sample Card Available (219) 234-8831 and Mary Art Case with matching bench. Brown mahagony, original ivory keys. Professionally restored & refinished. $14,900. Call or write: David Charrier, 76fJ7 Fillmore St., Philadelphia, PA 19111, (215) 342-1cr74. KEYSTONE MUSIC ROLL COMPANY BOX 650 215·434·5611 BBTULBUBM, FA 18016 Toll Free Outside Pa. Fax Number for Orders 800·367·8259 215-434·2993 ~''''~' ~"" ~. ~~~~~~~~~ ~J.~~. c;"~ G) l j I"V G .... /· " ~ AMICA ITEMS FOR SALE ~ ,\ ~. AMICA BULLETINS. BOUND ISSUES: 1971, 1972, Reproducers, Nickelodeons ~ 1973 bound Bulletins at $15 each. 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, ~ ~3·,' ~ and Fine Grand Pianos / ~ 1978,1979,1980 bound Bulletins at $18 each. 1981, 1982, 1983 ! ~ bound Bulletins at $21 each. 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1988 bound Bulletins at $24 each. PRICES INCLUDE POSTAGE ~ C COMPLETE RESTORATION AND HANDLING. Spiral bound to lie flat. Send order to Mary ~ ~ iii FACILITIES Lilien, 4260 Olympiad Dr., WS Angles, CA 90043. ) ~ AMICA TECHNICALITIES BOOKS: . .~ OWNER OPERATED I Volume I (1969·1971), $9.50 postpa~d I r0~' 22 years of experience in each related field ~ Volume II (1972·1974), $7.50 postpaId of restoration ~ Volume III (1975·1977), $8.50 postpaid ~ Volume IV (1978-1980), $6.50 postpaid CASE AND VENEER REPAIRS Volume V (1981·1988), $20.00 postpaid i( I Reprints of interesting technical articles which have appeared in HAND-RUBBED MIRROR I or SATIN FINISHES IN VARNISH the AMICA News Bulletin. arranged and indexed into appropriate II=::.:::: ~ categories. Brian Meeder, 904A West Victoria St., Santa ~ III VOICING AND TONE SPECIALIST I~ Barbara. CA 93101. ~ ~ ~ Roll Leaders: Duo Art. AMPICO and Welte: Excellent replicas. I~ I Concert Quality Regulation ~ ~ For order form, see mailing cover of Bulletin or write to Brian Lowest Prices, Known References, Meeder, 904A West Victoria St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Guaranteed Work. I~ AMICA STATIONERY: $3.50 (letter size), $3.20 (note size), ~ including mailing charges. Fine quality stationery with ornate Only the worlds finest known grades of material are used. AMICA borders. Each packet contains 25 letters and matching They are always fresh and continually checked. envelopes. Send orders to Tim Passinault, 105 Hemlock St., Hot glue and original materials used throughout Munising, MI 49862. wherever possible. AMICA STERLING SILVER PINS: $8.00 each, postpaid. Very attractive on your lapel or dress. Send orders to . Craig Brougher Passinault, 105 Hemlock St., Munising, MI 49862. ~ 3500 Claremont Independence. MO ~ Please make ALL CHECKS paya.ble to ~ (816) 254-1693 64052 ~ AMICA INTERNATIONAL ~ ~~~~Pr6~Pr6~~ ~ ~- Iiii! _l.ulisT_NlIi™ z hiuSIC ir....., , Our latest list of ragtime, blues and jazz piano roll recuts features over a dozen outstanding rags, several being recut for the first time. Also featured are five new live boogie-woogie & ragtime rolls and the announcement of our new label: Front Porch~~@ HAND-PLAYED MUSIC ROLLS ™ Front Porch™ Mwic Rolls are new. live piano roll recordings made on MIDI digital keyboards Air CALLIOPES, band organs, and perforated from the computer files created. nickelodeons. Kits or ready-to-play. The first five releases feature top-notch Wonderful sounds made in U.S.A. Free boogie-woogie and ragtime performances by some of the best artists performing this music today! brochure or $5 for catalog. Low wholesale prices, factory direct. For a complete list of titles and information please contact: Ragtilne-CalliolJeS Rob DeLand • BluesTone Music Rolls 4218 Jessup Road - Ceres, CA 95307 240 N. Ashland Ave. • Palatine, IL 60067 Ph. 209-667-5525 Fax 209-634-2667 Drop us a line -. we think you'll be pleased to hear what's new! 32 Three NEW releases from ARTCRAFT Music Rolls, all "audience-tested" successes! Give your Pianola some exciting music, for a change! ((THE CHICAGO MARCH" (1909) This long-playing descriptive March was originally created at the request of Robin Pratt for the 1992 Chicago AMICA Convention - featuring snappy variations (some borrowed from Liszt) and even THE BURNING OF ROME combined with CHICAGO, plus an illustratedcow-and-lamp sequence.' The finale has to be heard to be believed: a simulation of 3 pianists on one keyboard! (The audience debut actually took place at an ALL·ARTCRAFT CONCERT in Missouri a few months later, with Robin as the invited Pianolist.) Price, Duo-Art @ $18.50; 88-Note @ $17.50. ((POVERTY GULCH Rag" (1985) The Composer, Max Morath, wrote to ARTCRAFT, suggesting that Mr. Henderson create an Interpretive Arrangement based on the 1992 orchestral revision he was doing for the Centennial of Cripple Creek, Colorado. If you missed the premiere in July, order the music roll and discover the driving, earthy, contrapuntal composition. Price, Duo-Art @ $18.50; 88-Note @ $17.50. ((CHESTER THE CAT One-Step" (1991) Ian Whitcomb's sensational cat-and-dog number has been featured several times on KPCC-FM in Los Angeles and was the "second hit" of the Missouri ALL-ARTCRAFT CONCERT mentioned above. The Composer insisted that this piece be perforated! Duo-Art, $18.50; 88-Note, $17.50. Shipping costs are extra. Master-Card and VISA are accepted for mail or 'phone orders. ARTCRAFT Music Rolls, P.O. Box 295, Wiscasset, Maine 04578 U.S.A. Tel.: (207) 882-7420. ....-...... '-'r------, To Settle the Estate of Adam Lowjewski - All Items Must Be Sold ITEMS INCLUDE: KT SPECIAL REPRODUCTION; SEEBURG L; SEEBURG L PROJECT; STECK Duo-ART UPRIGHT, REBUILT AND REFINISHED, WITH 300 ROLLS; CUSTOM-BUILT 0 ROLL ORCHESTRION; Two ROLL CABINETS, ONE WITH INTRICATE INLAY; TECHNICIAN'S TOOLS; PLAYER PARTS; ORCHESTRION PARTS; REPRODUCING PARTS; ETC. GEORGE STECK Duo-ART SEEBURG L SEEBURG KT REPRO. CUSTOM 0 ROLL Paul Manganaro ORCHESTRION P.O. Box 535, Coopersburg, Pennsylvania 18036 215-965-5538 FAX: 215-965-9015 33 CLARK ORCHESTRA ROLL COMPANY MANUFACTURER.S OF .~ CL~LLS T R AD E MAR K REG 1ST ERE D ~ U. S. PAT EN T 0 F FIe E MUSIC ROLLS FOR AUTOMATIC PIANOS, ORGANS AND ORCHESTRIONS SEND NOW FOR OUR LATEST CATALOGS OF A &6 ROLLS 163 MAIN STREET THOMASTON, MAINE 04861 Telephone 207 354-8033 ~ r= WANTED TO BUY ~ MUSIC ~OX!S • MUSICAL CLOCKS M!CHANICAl OnCANS Always in the market for better quality disc and cylinder music boxes, musical clocks, singing birds, band organs, player organs, monkey organs, Wuriitzer 78 rpm jukeboxes, slot machines. Any condition. MAnnN nOiNICK 26 Barton Hill East Hampton, Connecticut 06424 .,. ,~, Phone (203) 267-8682 l I ~ AMICA INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FULL FORMAL NAME (including name of spouse or second household member): COMMON FIRST NAME (salutation/nickname) (including spouse or second member): ADDRESS: _ CITY: ______STATE: ZIP: _ COUNTRY (if not in USA): _ TELEPHONE: HOME ( ) _ BUSINESS ( ) _ OCCUPATION: _ RECOMMENDED BY: _ Do you repair or restore your own instruments as a hobby? DYes o No ... for others part-time? DYes o No ... full-time? DYes o No " ... COLLECTION LISTING: Please be complete for directory listing accuracy. (Optional) Use back of form if additional space is needed. EXAMPLES: 1909, Aeolian, Player Piano, Upright, Standard 1932, Knabe, Reproducer Grand Piano, 6'6", Louis XV, AMPICO B 1928, Wurlitzer, Band organ, with Marimba, 153 YEAR BRAND/MAKE TYPE SIZE CASE STYLE MECHANISM/TYPE-MODEL Please circle any of the following miscellaneous items in your collection: MUSIC BOXES JUKE BOXES PHONOGRAPHS OTHER ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES: REGULAR USA (Bulk Mail) $22.00 0 (Bulletin Mailing) REGULAR USA (First Class Mail) $37.00 0 (Check One) CANADIAN (Surface Mail) $28.00 0 OVERSEAS (Surface Mail) $28.00 0 OVERSEAS (Air Mail) $48.00 0 ENCLOSE A CHECK (For Canadian and Overseas an International Money Order drawn on a US Bank in US Dollars) FOR THE ~ AMOUNT PAYABLE TO AMICA INTERNATIONAL. ." RETURN TO: AMICA MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Michael A. Barnhart 919 Lantern Glow Trail Dayton, Ohio 45431 Phone (513) 254-5580 36 Get more fun out of your player piano with ·R·® 88-NOTE PLAYER ROLLS ·BROADWAY &MOVIE MEDLEYS: Cats; The Phantom Of The Opera; Les Miserables; La Cage Aux Folies; The Little Mermaid; Beauty And The Beast; Guys And Dolls; and many morel :J ·SOUND-ALIKE MEDLEYS: George Gershwin; Eddy Duchin; Carmen Cavallaro; Floyd Cramer; Frankie Carle; Art Tatum; Fats Waller and more! ·POP FAVORITES: Achy Breaky Heart; Wind Beneath My Wings; Unforget table; Tears In Heaven; Everything I Do (I Do It For You); and thousands more! See Your Local QRS Dealer or Contact QRS MUSIC ROLLS, INC. 1026 Niagara Street • Buffalo, NY 14213 Phone 1-800-247-6557 Fax 1-716-885-7510 ...... 'Ike DUO-ART Reproducing Piano, Pianola, Piano ALL-IN-ONE COMBINED The DUO-ART so perfectly reproduces the playing of great pianists that Paderewski, Hof mann and a large majority of the great artists record for the Duo-Art today and' enthusiastically endorse their Duo-Art reproductions. THE PIANOLA combined in the Duo-Art was the first and is still the best player. THE PIAN'O in the Duo-Art is the finest whether in the Steinway, Steck, Stroud, Aeolian, or the famous Weber. The AEOLIAN COMPA.NY Foremost Makers of Musical Instruments in the World A eolian Hall NEW YORK e~\'~ 7:00 pm Reception • 8:00-11:00 pm Banquet and Entertainment • :\,~ 0 ~'l9-~'. :r.~\'~ ~ MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 1993-----LABOR DAY • yO c\''3-cv. v.\.\,e fOf Open House Extravaganza: Visit many Southern California 'O~e \o~ ~ 1V>~'S~ J members, primarily in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, ~oo~ "oo,ei ullJO who will have their homes and wonderful collections open • S~\J~ all day. Your own transportation. rt'~S "0''''- ·Extra-charge event. \J?'- ~ The West Coast Chapter, MBSI and the Southern e, California Chapter, AMICA reserve the right to change or modify this program. • SUNDAY EVENING BANQUET