Concerts
I am currently planning some concerts into 2010 and beyond. What do YOU think people might like to hear at a pianola concert? Why not suggest a few complete musical programmes for the entire evening even! I'm just curious as to what music and titles you think might enthuse people / make a nice evening concert in this day and age. regards Adam PS if you fancy getting involved in some of this stuff just get in touch anytime! No previous concert experience required, no hard work really, just up for a fun easy time that's all!

Hi Adam Firstly I reckon you should play what you like, but if you want some ideas from us lot, how about:- An evening of transcriptions of popular classics - Liszts Beethoven Symphonies or Schubert songs, Griegs Peer Gynt or Holberg Suites, Tchaikowsky Ballet music etc, - or maybe some opera transcriptions (those great rolls of Boris Goudonov for example). As you told me a while back on this forum - about the only way you hear this sort of music any more is via the pianola. How about finding a soloist (cello or violin) with some accompaniment rolls, or even a singer or two, I have a nice roll of Schumanns 'Die Beiden Grenadiere' which it would be great to hear with a good baritone. The complete Beethoven Sonata cycle - well OK... maybe not :) Cheers Neil

Neil, I've written an article in the next issue of the PPG journal / bulletin about orchestral transcriptions on roll, the arrangers, the publishers, the logic behind it all (should get if just before xmas!) For the AGM main concert next year the concert will primarily be late-romantic era classics - they are the same age as the concert venue! Included will be some orchestral transcriptions and much very interesting material either rarely heard or never before heard on pianola! regards Adam

Hi Adam I look forward to the article - I don't know how you and Julian keep up the constant flow of stuff for the journal, but I'm glad you do. Your enthusiasm has helped me appreciate this music a bit more. In fact my current favourite roll is a transcription of the death scene from Boris Goudonov. Remember the 'Glory' scene that we played at Julians? I remember he had at couple more rolls from the Opera. The one I have (a Postbid purchase, like 90% of my collection) is Artistyle 92560 - do you know how many there are? It is hard to believe that I can get such enjoyment from a vastly reduced version of a full blown opera played on an ordinary upright piano - but I really do :) Neil

I've got a few theories on how the music works. I think if it's a pure piano piece, pure music then your mind focuses on the performance you are making and you drift off dreamily into all of that. If, on the other hand, it's an orchestral piece or a stage work i.e. operatic trnascription of some sort, I think your mind drifts off elsewhere. In your mind you hear the instruments, the vocalists etc and become the conductor of it all. It's quite different I reckon. Anyway that's enough psychology of the pianola for one day! I don't know how many Godounov rolls were done and the Coronation Scene http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UEBq-gsdI58 is the only one I have ...I think. Is the Death Scene http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iucfEGqRSpQ the same piece as made famous by Feodor Chaliapin in the early 20th century? Seven minutes of this stuff is better than an entire year of Eastenders I reckon! :lol:

I've got the "Inn on the border of Lithuania" Godounov scene on roll, plus Robert Armbruster's selection on Duo-Art. According to the 1928 catalogue, there's also a Themodist roll of Pimen's speech in the final scene. The 1914 catalogue had no rolls from Godounov, so if any appeared in the early 1920s when new production re-started, and had gone by 1928, it'll be pretty rare! Mind you, in 1914 they listed the two roll selection from Khovanshchina, which is seldom encountered either - I got a copy of roll 1 from the secondhand roll stack at Brentford. Great fun as well. Julian

Thanks Gents My roll starts with Pimens speech - 3.30 into the Christoff clip, and continues with 'heavenly choir' (my favourite bit) until Boris death, as on this clip http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=I6K3jScHzIo The roll label calls it ' Finale - Le Recit de Pimenn' You are right Adam - I am hearing the choir and orchestra etc, not the piano - which is why it is probably a very personal enjoyment.The roll lasts at least 12 minutes and drives my wife to distraction. Begs the question what people related to in the 1920's - I can hear the real opera any time I like, but how many could do that then - perhaps the later issue date reflects the availability of gramophone recordings? Strange that they issued Khovanshchina, and not Boris, but who knows what was more popular at the time. I would really like that roll of the Coronation Scene - anyone got a spare copy :wink: Neil