From the roll leader of revised Ampico 55447, Scherzo Op. 31 B-flat minor (Chopin), played by Theodore Henrion

Theodore Henrion, Editor-in-Chief at Ampico, was establishing a brilliant career when he died in 1918. Critics had claimed he was a master of "rhythmic sense and dynamic shading". Those attributes are obvious in this roll. He also shows his combined skills as artist and editor. In this outstanding performance, Henrion reveals his close relationship to the romantic period.

The widely contrasting, but delicately rendered, dynamics of this performance make it a perfect choice to showcase the superb and under exploited Ampico B. A new method of extrapolating "B" coding from the original "A" format was developed for this roll. Additionally, the roll is coded for the "B" only and is not intended to be "A" compatible. Because "A" compatibility is not required, a new freedom in editing technique has evolved.

This roll is dedicated to the late Leo Podolsky, honorary member of the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Association. With the dream vision of a young man, at age 90, he skillfully guided me into Ampico roll editing in 1983.

Robert W. Taylor, roll editor, April 21, 1996