Here is Peter Phillips' answer to my email.
Dear Randolph, What a story! It gets better too. I also need
a photo of Herbert Clair, and you've not only sent me a Rybner, but
Clair as well. Many, many thanks. I was also sent a photo by another
MMDer of Rybner at an old age, which I've attached for you.
I am a total Rybner fan! I have, in e-roll form, all of his Ampico
rolls except Liebestod, unfortunately. I am producing a CD I recorded
in Vienna, in which my e-rolls were played by a Boesendorfer Imperial
piano fitted with Boesendorfer's hi-end computerised player system.
The results have been highly successful, and many of my friends around
the world are quite excited. I hope to release all 13 CDs in a few
more months, one of which is called Wagner-Liszt and which features
Rybner.
Rybner's Ampico rolls (excluding Liebestod) are:
Magic Fire Scene. "The Valkyrie", (59963), 1921
Siegmund's Love Song "The Valkyrie", (60153), 1921
Wotan's Farewell, (59943), 1921
Mastersingers Paraphrase, (58857), 1921/2
Lucia di Lammermoor (Fantasie Dramatique), (59303), 1921/3
He also recorded his Wagner transcriptions for Welte, but I have not
heard any of these. I assume the arrangements are the same. I agree
with you about these arrangements, they are sumptuous and original.
I'm a Wagner nut (even went to the Wagner Festival in Bayreuth), and
I think Rybner's treatment is the best of all. He is a wonderful
pianist as well. The Boesendorfer Imperial is also an excellent
instrument for these transcriptions, with its huge bass.
Again, many thanks for the photos.
Best wishes,
Peter Phillips
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