I previously reported obtaining four pipe organ rolls that are not
listed in any Aeolian catalog (MMD 2006.04.06).  When played, these
rolls didn't do much to excite me.  One actually sounded horrible.

Now, several years later, I decided to give these rolls a second listen
to see if there was anything of merit that I previously missed.  That
second experience with one roll opened my eyes as I realized it really
is pretty terrific once a few registration errors are corrected.  The
roll is Andante Cantabile (from String Quartet No. 1) by Tchaikovsky.
No artist is listed.

The box label and the roll label are both modified Aeolian-Skinner
semi-automatic Duo-Art labels.  Semi-automatic rolls are for the Hammond
organ which was introduced in 1938.  Two modifications are hand-inked
on the labels.  The word "semi" is lined out, and the printed number
"333" has an 5 added, so that the roll number becomes 3335.  See

  http://members.socket.net/~rtaylor/duo_art_rolls_not_cataloged.html 

After I changed the overly loud pedal registration to something much
softer, corrected the swell shutter code in several spots, and made
a few other minor changes, the roll became simply beautiful music of
a very quiet nature.  It sounds and appears  as if it is hand played.

Comparing this performance to recordings made by an actual string
quartet reveals that this is a very good transcription.  Knowing that
this roll has rarely been heard on any pipe organ, I have posted it on
my web site.  I would love to hear from anyone who has heard this roll
elsewhere, or its Aeolian-Skinner companion (Hammond) roll #333.

You may hear this roll at

 http://www.aeolianorgan.com/aeolian/Late_issue_roll.html 

The Aeolian free reed clarinet is used in most of the piece, showing
its wonderful character.  In the last 1/3 of the performance, it becomes
the solo voice.  The solo then becomes the haunting Dolce flute which
is most effective.

Why the errors were on this roll will never be known.  Also, we will
never know why this roll was released.  Who played it?

Bob Taylor