Hello MMD readers,  Yesterday (000222 MMDigest) I saw the posting about
an eBay auction concerning a collection of rolls which were made from
the playing of the ultra-talented musician David Thomas Roberts.

We, here at Artcraft Music Rolls, have in continuous production two
more Roberts selections, both his own compositions: Roberto Clemente
(88-Note) and For Kansas City - Ragtime Intermezzo (Duo-Art).

For Kansas City was released many years prior to the publication
of the completed score, since it was arranged from his spiral binder
manuscript, in facsimile form, which was temporarily left at the home
of a Ragtime enthusiast in the St. Louis area, who sent it to me.

Neither of these rolls was made from a keyboard performance. They are
two examples of our 'Interpretive Arrangements': graduated perforations
cut from an analysis of audio recordings, often down to a 128th note,
approximately.  Both use a few impossible-to-play passages in order to
convey the concept of a keyboard performance, something which eludes
the Pianola on certain kinds of music.

Roberto Clemente compares favourably with the composer's audio
recordings as well as his VHS tape produced in Colorado by pianist-
composer Frank French.

Morten Gunnar Larsen has recorded For Kansas City (after our roll was
released) and save for the overall tempo differences in his audio
performance, the roll also can be played in tandem with the keyboard
interpretation.  (Just speed up the roll and it will 'match' pianist
Larsen!)

We hope to produce some of more this composer's music in the near
future.

Regards from Maine,
Douglas Henderson, Artcraft Music Rolls
Wiscasset, ME 04578 USA
http://www.wiscasset.net/artcraft/