[ Ref. Jim Miller in 20.10.06 MMDigest ]

In the recent posting about Vera Timanoff/Timanova it is stated that
Liszt could have made a wax cylinder in 1885, i.e., it was possible
in his lifetime.

Sadly, as with some speculation in older literature about Jenny Lind,
this was not possible.  In 1885 the only phonographic recording process
in existence was Edison's original tinfoil system of 1877.

Bell and Tainter were working on the much better system of incised wax
cylinders, and this spurred Edison to do likewise, but the wax cylinder
in its familiar form did not arrive until 1889, just in time for Brahms
(to the extent that anything of his playing can be made out) but not
for Liszt.

Gavin East
Lincoln, New Zealand

 [ At http://www.allthingsyoungstown.net/vintage_music/historic_info.htm 
 [ is a concise history of early audio recording and radio broadcasting.
 [ -- Robbie