The Reproducing Piano Roll Foundation, off the web for quite some
time, is pleased to report that things have been returned to normal
once more, including the long-awaited "Busoni Tribute."  This is,
to those of you who might be unacquainted with the genius of the
celebrated pianist/composer/transcriber/author, Ferruccio Busoni,
an attempt to interest everyone in the remarkable life and times of
this unique artist.  It is not a scholarly treatise, but rather an
informal account of his varied activities during a mature life of
little more than 43 years, as supreme pianist, inspired educator,
transcriber of genius and, by general agreement, the logical successor
to Franz Liszt in the world of the piano.

Included in the offering: a short and as well, a more detailed
biography; his compositions and transcriptions, a listing of the series
of 12 historic concerts given in Berlin between 1902 and 1909; his own
set of comprehensive piano recitals, with wide-ranging coverage of the
literature, a rollography and details of recorded performances by
pianists of this era -- long-playing and, of course, compact disc.

Many of you have grown accustomed to referring frequently to our
complete cataloguing of Ampico, Duo-art, and Welte, with listings
of the smaller companies, here and abroad, arranged numerically,
for concise and accurate information, and these services are again
provided.  It is my contention that this easily-available material
provides a much-needed source for identification, making use of the
invaluable cataloguing work published through the years by various
authors.

I still hold out the hope that someone (or someones) will work away
at a similar service for the popular rolls of the reproducing piano,
in one easily-accessible location, and as comprehensive as may be
possible.  It is a long and arduous process, but the rewards are great,
from, if nothing else, the satisfaction of knowing that one has provided
a service which every collector needs and would find indispensable,
were it to be made available.

Finally, I should like to thank those of you whose catalog material has
been used, and also, the personal collections of a number of members,
generously made available to me and a much-appreciated enhancement of
the original material.  In a word, it has been in-valuable.

Albert M. Petrak, Founder
The Reproducing Piano Roll Foundation
http://www.rprf.org/

 [ Download PDF file at  http://www.rprf.org/PDF/Busoni_Bio.pdf
 [ -- Robbie