Head To Head Comparison:
  Telarc CD and  London CD -- The Rachmaninoff Ampico Recordings

I received in the mail this morning Wayne Stahnke's new Telarc CD for
review in the October issue of Clavier Magazine.

I intend to compare this much awaited new recording/reprocessing of the
Ampico rolls with the very excellent recordings made by London records
in l978-79 (D105619).  These recordings were made on a specially
adapted Estonia 9' concert grand and recorded at the Kingsway Hall,
London.  Reproducing piano expert Denis Hall provided the notes for
this Rachmaninoff disc as well as several other l2" records of famous
Ampico artists.  I am looking forward to an exciting two hours of
Rachmaninoff.

Wayne mentioned a few days ago on the MMD that, with the second disc
from Telarc and l6 compositions, that these constitute all the
Rachmaninoff reproducing piano rolls.  There is at least another roll,
with The Master playing the piano part of the Second Movement of his
Second Piano Concerto.  No doubt the purpose of this special recording
was to be used in conservatories with student orchestras.

Years ago in Chicago I helped Chicago AMICA in arranging a concert of
a performance of this roll with the American Chamber Symphony.  For a
short time the Powells sold this roll.  I loaned Wayne my copy of this
performance to scan into his miracle machine.  Wayne, can you talk
Telarc into including some of this performance onto the second disc?

Jim Edwards