Hi friends,  I thought I would offer a few words concerning the
new Rachmaninoff CD, "A Window in Time", which has been transcribed,
realized, and edited from Ampico recordings by Wayne Stahnke.

I purchased my copy at a local record store yesterday, and immediately
upon getting home, I placed it into our CD player.  I was very pleased
at the clarity of tone coming from the inner voices on many of the
pieces.  I wish that my humble 5'4" Chickering would sound this good!

After speaking with Wayne via e-mail, I found that the piano is a 9'6"
Boesendorfer.  That explains its broad, deep bass.  The upper octaves,
and in fact the whole piano, have a great transparency which makes
Rachmaninoff so easy to appreciate.  This clarity allowed minute
changes in shading to be heard, especially on the pianissimo passages.

This recording really demonstrates what the Ampico editors did between
coffee breaks!  Few Ampico pianos which I have heard could match the
expression that this piano produces.  The accoustics of the recording
hall also compliment the fine sounds that the piano produces.  I find
this CD to open up new avenues for understanding the composition and
performance of Rachmaninoff's works.  Hats off to Wayne for a great
recording!  I'm certainly looking forward to the next installment!

Mike Walter