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MMD > Archives > April 2010 > 2010.04.17 > 06Prev  Next


The Reutlinger Photoplayer in San Francisco
By Michael Swanson

Mark Sachnoff is correct, Richard Reutlinger does have a Model 35
American Fotoplayer.  I had the good fortune of hearing this instrument
in person several weeks ago when a box of rare Ampico rolls that
Richard loaned me for scanning and recutting were returned.  Richard's
photoplayer is quite special because of its extended capabilities.

This instrument was restored years ago by Robert Heilbuth, a colorful
San Francisco character that has been the topic of several MMD postings.
Before he started work on the instrument, Heilbuth asked Richard if he
wanted the photoplayer to play like an orchestrion.  His answer was
sure, if it doesn't alter the original instrument and if can still be
used as intended.

More holes were added to one of the tracker bars and extra valves,
etc., were installed to control the instrumentation and expression
automatically.  Heilbuth added coding to some standard piano rolls
and did some original arrangements for Richard's photoplayer on
a Leabarjan perforator he had.

I can tell you from first hand experience that Heilbuth was quite an
arranger -- the rolls and the instrument are terrific.  One of the
rolls that Richard played for us had a dog barking and other sound
effects at appropriate times, all controlled by the coding on the roll.

Richard has about 80 rolls that Heilbuth did for this special instrument.
Too bad this clever man is no longer with us; he was quite a talent.

Michael Swanson


(Message sent Sun 18 Apr 2010, 00:33:42 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Francisco, Photoplayer, Reutlinger, San

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