I continue to post recordings that are of interest to me in hopes
that other collectors will also enjoy them.  My latest posting
celebrates the early Ampico roll editor, Theodore Henrion.

Robin Pratt first brought my attention to this early artist when
he reissued roll 55447, Chopin Scherzo in B flat minor, Op. 31.
On my first hearing of the roll, I had to force myself to forget the
Rachmaninoff version of the same composition.  The styles and phrasing
are very different.  After two or three times, I found that I rather
liked the Henrion version as a good contrast in styles.

I was so taken by the refinement in the Ampico coding on this early
roll, (1917) that I suggested that we collaborate to make a "B" coded
version of the roll so that the wonderful music could be enjoyed on
the later pianos.  That project was a labor of love and the results
were beyond my expectations.  All those B rolls sold out in a hurry.

Most collectors are unaware that Charles F. Stoddard invented a dynamic
recorder long before the spark chronograph came into existence.  Those
early patents date from 1909.  While the machine appears to be too
impractical for long, continuous use, it must have been used enough to
make a few rolls before the process was abandoned.  It is speculation,
but perhaps the fledgling Ampico and the talented Henrion produced this
roll, number 55447, using the first dynamic recorder.

Henrion died in the influenza epidemic in 1918 and thus left us with
few rolls and his talent is mostly overlooked.

The recording on the web site was made using a concert grand piano that
is equipped with special controls that set the pump output at three
levels, very similar to an Ampico B.  Not all rolls respond well on
these demonstration instruments, but this one does.  The recording was
made just a few days ago and can be found at

  http://web.me.com/bobtaylor5/Ampico_Greats/Podcast/Podcast.html 

Another site celebrates Adam Carroll --

  http://web.me.com/bobtaylor5/Adam_Carroll/Podcast/Podcast.html 

Not much text at either site yet, but the music is wonderful.

Bob Taylor