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MMD > Archives > November 2000 > 2000.11.30 > 06Prev  Next


Welte-Mignon Classics on New Pierian Audio CDs
By Albert Petrak

To All:  I am pleased to report the success of the recent transfers of
the complete recordings made for Welte by Claude Debussy and Enrique
Granados.  You will perhaps recall John McClelland's mention of them in
a previous MMD posting.  They are on the PIERIAN label, Nos. 1 and 2,
as I've mentioned in the past, available from Albany Distributors.

They are the work of Ken Caswell of Austin, TX, an "oldtimer" in this
enterprise.  When I contacted him by phone he said:  "Well, Al, I guess
we get in touch with each other about every 30 years, eh?"  The
reference is to my cataloguing work of the early 60's, vis-a-vis the
three major enterprises:  Duo-Art, Ampico and Welte.  He states that it
was I who prompted many to explore, and to begin collecting.  I will
take modest credit, if I may.

As an update on the Reproducing Piano Roll Foundation, Webmaster
promises restoration of the site by Christmas.  Computer failure was
responsible for its complete destruction, but it has now been repaired
(or almost) and ready for reposting as above.  When it is again
available, a reminder that it contains as complete a listing of the
world classical roll production as contemporary research has allowed.
Both Ampico and Duo-Art are complete in the 5000 to the latest Jumbo
(Ampico) and 5500 to the latest U.K. AudioGraphic (Duo-Art).  All other
catalogs have listed the classical rolls made by the historic artists.

I have now been accredited by the Feds as a 501-(3)-(c) and can now
receive contributions in any amount, with tax credit assured.  When the
site is a reality again, this information will be repeated with
appropriate instructions.

The Pierian recordings are, in my opinion, as close to the reality of
the roll recordings as we have had.  Ken reproduces them on a Feurich
upright with Welte-Mignon (Licensee) mechanism...clearly adjusted to a
fare-thee-well.  As many of you know, he is a consummate pro and his
engineering is first rate.  Though there was initial hesitation on my
part to believe that an upright could do justice to the playing, I am
delighted to say that they are in every way enjoyable.  I have played
excerpts on the radio station, WCLV and have gotten listener reaction
(favorable) to them.

Here are the programs:

The Complete Welte Recordings Of Claude Debussy:

  Welte Rolls

2733 DEBUSSY - Children's Corner - Nos. 1 - 6
2734 DEBUSSY - D'un cahier d'esquisses (From a Sketchbook), Db
2735 DEBUSSY - Estampes (Prints) No. 2:  La soiree dans Grenade
  (Evening in Granada)
2736 DEBUSSY - Valse...la plus que lente (Slower-than-Slow - Waltz)
2738 DEBUSSY - Preludes, Book 1, Nos. 1, 10 and 11
2739 DEBUSSY - Preludes, Book 1, Nos. 3 and 12

The Complete Welte Recordings Of Enrique Granados

  Welte  Rolls

2778 GRANADOS - Danza Espanola, Op. 37, No. 10, G  "Danza triste"
  (Tonadilla)
2779 GRANADOS - Danza Espanola, Op. 37, No. 7, G  "Valenciana"
2780 GRANADOS - Danza Espanola, Op. 37, No. 5, e  "Andaluza" (Playera)
2781 GRANADOS - Valses Poeticos (Poetic Waltzes)
2782 D. SCARLATTI-GRANADOS - Sonata (Piece de Scarlatti)
2783 GRANADOS - "Goyescas" - Suite No. l, No. 1:  Los Requiebros
  (The Compliments)
2784 GRANADOS - "Goyescas" - Suite No. 1, No. 2:  Coloquio en la reja
  (Love Duet)
2785 GRANADOS - "Goyescas" - Suite No. 1, No. 3:  El Fandango de Candil
  (Candlelight)
2786 GRANADOS - "Goyescas" - Suite No. 1, No. 4:  Quejas o la Maja
  y el Ruisenor

I found the Debussy enlightening, in terms of tempi, and also in light
of historic description of his playing.  He was much more forceful than
had been suggested in the past.  Outstanding playing on the "Danseuses
de Delphes" (Delphic Dancers) and the "Engulfed Cathedral" in
particular.

As for Granados, the surprise for me was the detail of his
interpretations of the Spanish Dances...very different from any
contemporary rendering(s).  The Poetic Waltzes are simply delicious.

As you can tell, I am recommending them unreservedly.  Professor Karl
Miller of the University of Texas at Austin advises that an URL has
been secured, and that they will mount a Pierian site early in the new
year.  Upcoming is a two-CD set of the Welte recordings made by the
celebrated American pianist, Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler.  It should be
outstanding.

Cheers to all!

Albert M. Petrak
The Reproducing Piano Roll Foundation


(Message sent Thu 30 Nov 2000, 14:09:10 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Audio, CDs, Classics, New, Pierian, Welte-Mignon

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