Vale Denis Condon

My good friend, piano roll enthusiast and mentor, Denis Condon, died
today at age 79, after many years of illness.  Denis was a piano roll
pioneer in Australia, having been introduced to the reproducing piano
at a relatively young age when his father purchased a model B Ampico in
1948.  To a musical person like Denis, this was the start of something
that was to remain with him throughout his life.

Denis studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, alongside the
likes of Richard Bonynge and many others.  He trained to become a music
teacher in the public school system, and his teaching style, musical
skills and all round enthusiasm made him well known in musical circles.
For many years he was hired by the ABC as a page turner, where he
assisted artists such as Geoffrey Parsons and other accompanists.  He
used to remark that the title of his book would be "Was I Too Obvious
-- a Page Turner's Story."

My association with Denis began in 1976, when as a student, I was
invited along with the rest of the class to see Denis's collection of
player pianos.  This was a pivotal moment for me, and my friendship
with Denis began that evening.  Our combined skills soon saw us working
together on a Duo-Art Vorsetzer, something Denis had wanted to build
for many years.

The ABC [Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia's national
public broadcaster] got wind of this venture and in mid-1978 the
almost finished Vorsetzer was taken from my workshop to a recording
studio, where we made a recording with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
of the Grieg Piano Concerto played by Percy Grainger on Duo-Art rolls.

This recording became famous, and was issued around the world, winning
an award in the USA.  We travelled extensively with the Vorsetzer,
performing the Grieg Piano Concerto in every major venue in Australia
and New Zealand, with a range of symphony orchestras.  We also recorded
for Philips and made many recordings for the ABC of works played by
Percy Grainger.

In 1995, Denis purchased a Yamaha C7 Mk II Disklavier piano, an
instrument which I lusted after for years, and which I purchased in
2002 when Denis upgraded to a Disklavier Pro.  Though Denis had deep
respect for player piano history and technology, he sought better ways
to listen to his large collection of piano rolls (over 8000).  To this
end, he built an Ampico Vorsetzer, another Duo-Art Vorsetzer and used
these plus his Welte Green/Licensee Vorsetzer to record piano roll
performances on the Disklavier.  So, in later years, it was rare to
hear an original instrument -- rather, we heard recorded performances
on the Yamaha C7, with its bigger tone.

Over the years, few have done more to promote interest in reproducing
piano rolls than Denis.  For some 35 years, every two months apart on
a Saturday night, Denis ran what became known as "Roll Night."  People
from all walks of life would attend, and my role typically involved
preparing the supper from offerings the visitors would bring.  These
nights were hugely successful, and attracted crowds of 70 or more on
several occasions.  Visiting musicians, particularly pianists, would
be invited to Denis's home, and it's there I met the likes of Aaron
Copland, Shura Cherkassky, Stephen Hough and many more.

Denis's enthusiasm for and love of reproducing piano rolls is
legendary, as was his profound knowledge of the pianists and the
repertoire.  He could not only pick the piece, but also the pianist,
virtually every time.

His passing has left a gap in the lives of many, in particular his
partner of 47 years.  But his memory will remain with me every time
I play a piano roll.  If I had not met Denis Condon all those years
ago, I may well have never encountered mechanical musical instruments,
and to Denis, I say thank you, and may God bless you.

Peter Phillips
Padstow, NSW, Australia
http://www.petersmidi.com/