I remember years ago reading memoirs of (I think) Harold Bauer, where he
described the torture of making gramophone records, and the delight
of making piano rolls.  I had thought that checking roll speeds against
early 78s was risky.  Pianists in those times were obviously obliged to
make the music duration fit the duration of the 78-rpm disc, and this
might mean playing faster (usually, I suppose) than their choice.  They
were also obliged to modify their dynamics to suit the recording machine.

I have it straight from the lips of Duo-Art recording artist Frank
Laffitte, that when making the roll he was perfectly free to play exactly
as he wished.  No wonder pianists prefered making rolls to records.  If
one compares roll performance to record in this way, there is a danger of
admitting that we regard the record as the superior medium.

Having said that, I do collect piano records as well !

Robin Cherry

 [ The Rachmaninoff pieces which Wayne compared were, fortunately,
 [ performed in concert with duration compatible with 78-rpm discs.
 [ (Actually, I can't imagine Rachmaninoff agreeing to any compromises!)
 [ -- Robbie