I'm really not sure where all dem mistakes are coming from:

> Of course, there are others out there, who are doing just the same
> as me; for example, Wolfgang Heisig, whose "Entry of the Gladiators"
> (Fukoku) I always have with me.

Why Fukoku?!  His name is Fucik, Julius Fucik!  Did I write that?
I doubt it...

 [ My "spell checker" routine changed it in error.  Sorry.  -- Robbie

>[ His family took young Ingmar to organ festivals where he heard
>[ the best performers and best works of the European noteurs, from
>[ the organ grinders of France to the Werkelmaenner of Vienna.
>[ (Read Claus Kucher's anecdotes about the Vienna festival at
>[ http://mmd.foxtail.com/Events/Memusi97/ )  It wasn't long before
>[ Ingmar was cranking an organ himself.  He's good -- I've heard him
>[ -- and his competitors would agree!  ;-)  -- Robbie

Oh, Robbie, messed it up again, eh?  You seem to be rather confused of
whom we were talking about.  I only rarely talk of myself in the third
person kind of style, so: no, you are mixing that story up with a story
about my dear friend Oliver Maar in Vienna.

While I'm not certain if it was his parents taking him there, the rest
of what you said is right for him.  If you look at what I wrote before,
then you already will see the differences: I started at the age of 4!
So that was quite long ago.  And while my parents did take me around to
festivals before that (not Vienna, as that one didn't start until the
mid-1980s) these meetings were not particularly the key for me to start
playing, too; rather it was one of the street barrel pianos (dem little
ones from Faventia) that my dad had bought and showed to me on my
birthday.  Since that day I assumed that instrument as "my" instrument
(why the heck else would you show it to me on my birthday if not for
presenting me with it?! ;-))  And so, to every next festival it had to
be made sure that I can play, too.

Oliver Maar is a whole different story: Yes, he came to quite a couple
of Vienna "MEMUSI" festivals, looking around (shy at first, of course)
then coming a little closer and finally starting to ask about the
instruments, the music, buying MCs or organ music, even listening to
them right there and then in our car, to see if he likes them or is
going to switch to other ones, as all going from his little bit pocket
money he saved up throughout the year for this.

Soon after you will find him talking like a "pro" discussing all kinds
of things with all the participants and eventually driving with his dad
all the way to France, so that his dad would buy him a book driven
organ for his birthday (I think it was on his 17th birthday).

While he doesn't read sheet-music, Oliver makes even more outstanding
music then I ever would be able to.  _But,_ he only arranges for
himself, as he by now is standing on his own feet as probably Vienna's
only full-time Werkelmann.  He doesn't play in the streets, though,
but can be hired and is most original, if you encounter him in a
Heurigen [wine bar] singing Viennese songs to his Ariston.  There is
a CD from him somewhere out there. Not sure on how to get your hands
onto it then through him, but if you can, please do!

I still cherish the few occasions where I was able to work with him
in his little hut in Perchtoldsdorf. I made a few arrangements for his
29-keyless book-organ, which he punched (and where he felt necessary
he even improved!).  On the CD you will find two examples: "Puttin'
On the Ritz" and "Skyliner".  When he kindly asked me if he was
allowed to use any of the books I made for him on his CD I was stunned
-- of course he is allowed!  On the contrary, I couldn't even wish for
anything better then having a few of my works on his CD.  So all I did
was put one condition onto it: put my name in there.  And so if you
check his CD you will find that indeed it says next to my tunes:
"arr. Krause/Maar"

Phew; now you got me into writing.  I didn't wanted to write anything
this long, but I sure do hope that you can tell apart now "who is
who".  I sure don't wanna be blamed by my friend Oliver to decorate
myself with his trophies.  ;-)

greetings by(e)
Ingmar Krause - InK modern arrangements
Victoria, BC, Canada
Erlangen, BY, Germany

 [ At http://www.wvlw.at/archiv/automatisch/f-interpreten.html
 [ is mention of Oliver's CD:
 [   Von Lochkarten und Drehmomenten...  Oliver Maar
 [   Drehorgelhumorist & Werkelmann KOS 0529110003
 [ -- Robbie