Monday, Nov. 17th, at the Museum for the American Piano in Manhattan,
New York City, there was a terrific pianola concert given by fellow
AMICAN and MBSI member Randolph Herr. While all of the technical
equipment -- including tape recorder, video camera and the computer
power point system -- all failed several times during the evening,
the pianola played on with no hitch. So much for modern technology.
This just made the concert so much more appealing and humorous,
demonstrating the durability of pianolas over the electronic items
of today.
Randolph said that during the recent blackout he was home happily
enjoying his Steinway pianola. His humor along with his ability to
interpret the music and give historical insights combined to inform,
educate and thrill the audience. A professional film crew was on hand
to record the evening for posterity and to make a documentary for
television, whatever that is.
The question and answer session following the concert went almost half
the length of the concert itself as Mr. Herr answered each question by
demonstrating the answer on his wonderful instrument while patiently
and enthusiastically explaining what each knob, lever, etc. was and
did. Randolph Herr is available to give pianola concerts throughout
the northeast and can be contacted at aeolian@nyc.rr.com.
Vincent Morgan, New York City
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